PERRY, Ga. — Perry businesses say they know when something is happening at the Georgia National Fairgrounds. For many businesses in the city, big events like the Georgia National Fair bring in the most customers they see in a year.
The fairgrounds bring about 1 million people to Perry each year. This year's fair had an estimated economic impact of $42 million.
But over the last several years, the fairgrounds have worked on developing a hotel to house these visitors.
It will be attached to the Miller Murphy Howard Building. That's on the side closest to I-75.
Developers hoped that construction would begin this year, but it has not yet started. Because of that, they say the project's opening is delayed, but they say the hotel will still come.
President of the Perry Chamber Maggie Schuyler says that is a good thing.
"Outside of the fair. Outside of the rodeo. A conference center and a hotel are going to be great for Perry," she said.
Schuyler said they're excited, as the project is a chance for people to do business in the city.
"Now that COVID is over, conferences are coming back and we're centrally located in the state," she said.
Schuyler says Perry is three hours from Savannah, Florida and more, so it will be easy for folks to drive into town and stay in one of the 129 rooms.
She says if those rooms are full, it will be an opportunity to fill other city hotels.
"That's going to give us an opportunity to highlight Perry and showcase Perry and everything we have to offer," she said.
Plus the fairgrounds are a 5-minute ride to downtown.
"That's just going to open up downtown Perry as an option for people to come support local, dine local, and shop local," Schuyler said.
One local business that sees the fairground traction is Oil Lamp Restaurant.
"The fair brings the most business to me throughout the year. The horse shows, the cow shows, the pig shows — they bring business also," Owner Judy Wegner said.
She says on a normal day, her business sees a lot of foot traffic.
"I like it this way though because I figure, if I'm going to be here putting my heart and soul into it, I want to be busy," she said.
The new hotel could bring more hungry bellies she is eager to fill.