DUBLIN, Ga. — Dublin's getting a new RV Park that opens this weekend.
Across the country, RV sales are up 11% this year, according to the National RV Industry Association, and if you're coming to Dublin for a weekend visit, you might not see many options close to the interstate. That's why Chad Law decided to open a campground on US-441 called Southern Pines RV Park.
"Just in Dublin, it's very limited. We really don't have as far as hotels go, we only have a few right here on the main drag," Law said.
The hotels that are off I-16 usually get sold out on the weekends, Law said. He currently has 45 lots at the new park, complete with bathrooms, laundry, grills, swings, and two fishing ponds.
He said it's a cheaper way to travel, with their rates going for $60 a night.
"We got industries, factories, that are coming in you know, pretty frequent now. We got another one that's being built down the road that's gonna cater to the larger car company," Law said.
That new company, Hwashin, broke ground about three weeks ago on a site off Georgia Highway 257. They're expected to bring 460 jobs to Dublin, over time. Law hopes their construction workers consider staying down the road at Southern Pines RV Park.
"There really ain't nowhere to go to you know, be able to experience the outdoors, and be outside in nature," Law said.
Along with day rentals, they also have long-term options for $600 a month that comes with all utilities included.
"We've really tried to cater to the family. You know, people are crazy about their pets these days and we got two different dog parks that are gonna be right here on site," Law said.
Right down the road at small business Florida's RV Service and Parts, sales associate Tolita Willis said this time of year is a good time to open up an RV park, because that's when most of their customers are in the market to purchase one.
"We're seeing more of an influx of individuals wanting to take them out for businesses, instead of hotel rooms," Willis said.
She said there's no place like home, but camping in an RV is the next best thing. It's cheaper than staying in a hotel.
"Because you get to take your stuff with you, you don't have to pack, unpack," Willis said.
Southern Pines RV Park currently has 45 lots, but they hope to add about 50 more in the next six to eight months.