As Greensburg and Decatur County continues their ascendance into economic vitality, the famous sharp-toothed aspen isn’t necessarily the area’s only drawing card.
Wednesday, at the groundbreaking ceremony for the $16 million hospitality center development dubbed Greensburg Station, Mayor Frank Manus made that clear.
“People think the only tourism in Greensburg is the Courthouse Tree,” Manus said. “That is just not true. Greensburg has a lot to offer. This event proves it.”
The development will be highlighted by a Hampton Inn and Suites, a four-story, 114-room hotel that will cater to business travelers. It will include a business center, 3,200 square feet of conference/banquet space and other amenities for business travelers.
The Greensburg Station development, scheduled to open in spring 2008, also includes space for three additional retail outlets oriented toward family dining, highway service and other retail businesses.
The hotel and the accompanying businesses were brought to bear by the Street Corner Group, which develops commercial investment properties, and The Worthington Group, a hospitality management, consulting and development partnership.
Jack Moran, president of the Street Corner Group, was overjoyed by the nearly 100 people in attendance on the site near the Honda plant, and with the prospects for the development.
“This will sit on almost nine acres. The hotel will bring 40-to-50 new jobs and the outlets will bring another approximately 40 jobs,” he said. “We are pleased and excited about playing a role in the dynamic economic development activity now occurring in Southeastern Indiana.”
Moran also said he appreciated the cooperation and assistance he received from local officials.
“I want to thank the mayor and the City Council for the wonderful incentive package provided us for this development. In the end, it made a big difference.”
Tim Worthington, managing partner of The Worthington Group, talked about making the development a success.
“If you treat your employees right, keep your guests happy and take good care of your building you will achieve all of the goals you set forth. We want people to come as guests and return as friends.”
Melanie Maxwell, Decatur County Tourism executive, told everyone why she already considers those in the lodging business her friends.
“In Decatur County, 900 people are already employed in the hotel, motel, restaurant and other service-related industries,” she said. “Hotels bring a huge economic impact to an area. When Holiday Inn Express came, it increased our tourism dollars by $3.5 million. Today, we generate $29.6 million from tourism. I’m excited to see where that will go in the future. We’ve already started working with the Worthington Group on some projects for the community.”
A host of other speakers, like Commissioner Charles Buell, Chamber president Jill Clift, and Economic Development Corporation president David Fry also took to the podium to offer thanks and congratulations to the county’s newest resident.
Clift’s speech summed it up for all of them.
“This groundbreaking is about more than putting up a new building,” she said. “It’s about people showing great passion and determination toward building a better community.”
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