By MARK MCGEE
mmcgee@bedfordcountypost.com
There is going to be more room in the inn in Shelbyville.
Hampton Inn, a Hilton brand, is planning an $11 million project with four stories and 81 rooms. The hotelier will be Jasmin Patel.
“Adding Hampton to our community fills a void for the mid-tier level hotel room, increases the hotel/motel tax revenue and drives sales tax revenue by keeping overnight guests in town for locally purchased goods and services,” said Shane Hooper, CEO of the Shelbyville-Bedford Partnership. “It is not only good for visitors we have here, but it is also going to help be an anchor for recruitment purposes in this community. This is going to be a huge win for this community.”
Warren Wells, CEO of the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration, has often mentioned the need for more motel rooms in Shelbyville.
“This will be something Warren will be able to use as a recruitment tool for bringing in additional events to the Celebration Grounds,” Hooper said. “Everything that helps Warren and The Celebration is going to benefit the entire community. People will be staying here and eating here and buying goods and services here.”
The city is in the middle of a new generation of economic growth with recent additions of a new McDonald’s on North Main Street, a Chick-fil-A, Firehouse Subs, Dos Bros Tacos, Glass Hollow Table and Tavern and Grindstone Cowboy.
Tad Craig of Craig and Wheeler Realty and Auction LLC, assisted with the purchase of the property.
“We are excited to have a new Hampton Inn brand with nationwide recognition as being part of the Hilton Hotel chain,” Craig said. “I think Shelbyville-Bedford County is poised and positioned in the perfect geographical spot for future growth.”
Hooper pointed out that attracting the Hampton Inn as well as new restaurants and retail outlets is a domino effect for future additions.
“We worked on this hotel project for over a year now,” Hooper said. “Mr. Patel gave us the go ahead to proceed with this announcement. It all goes back to working as a team. I’ve said it before, and I will say it again, that economic development is a team sport.
“Obviously, Tad played a pivotal role in helping to find the appropriate property for the project. Bedford County Mayor Chad Graham played a significant role as well in helping sell our community. Everyone has to play an appropriate role for things like this to happen.”
