PERRY, Ga. — Development is beginning at the Perry's Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter. A long-awaited hotel development is breaking ground, and advocates hope the facility will bring more business to Perry and Houston County.
The fairgrounds bring about 1 million to Perry every year, which typically accounts for $42 million in economic impact to the surrounding area.
But Perry Chamber of Commerce has long hoped that a hotel and conference center at the fairground could keep those good times rolling for more of the year.
"Outside of the fair. Outside of the rodeo. A conference center and a hotel are going to be great for Perry," President of the Perry Chamber Maggie Schuyler previously told 13WMAZ.
Perry's Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer Maggie Lane previously told 13WMAZ the hotel will have a restaurant, bar and grill, a pool, a fitness center, electric vehicle charging stations, 129 rooms, and plenty of conference space.
Advocates hope the hotel, which would be branded as either Townplace Suites by Marriott or a Fairfield by Marriott, would help boost business activity
"We're really excited for what the development of this new hotel could do for Perry, for Middle Georgia, for the entire local economy," Lane said.
The hotel is being built near Miller Murphy Howard Building. That's on the side closest to I-75.
With that, they hope that the hotel could capture travelers heading along the interstate. The fairground's close proximity to local businesses — being only a five-minute drive to downtown — is another positive advocates point to.
Additionally, Lane says the project is 100% self-funded, which means the project will likely not cost taxpayers a dime.
Right now, they're hoping the hotel is open by next summer.
However, local officials are crossing their fingers that the development's impact on the area will bring more cash to the area all year round.