12/3/14
(Cleveland)- A new study commissioned in part by the White County Chamber of Commerce has determined that the city of Cleveland could, in the future, possibly support a good quality, limited service hotel with roughly 60 rooms in the downtown area. In a news release from the chamber, President Cindy Bailey said the needs study was the result of several county-wide strategic planning meetings earlier this year.
The release said, the study was commissioned based on the forecasted needs of Cleveland taking into consideration of Truett McConnell College’s continued growth, expansion of their facilities and their projections to achieve university status in 2018, the completion of the US 129 Scenic Parkway, the growing special events/ wedding market as well as the growing needs of existing businesses and industry.
Bailey said the results of the study, conducted by Highlands Group, Hotel Investment Advisors in Atlanta, point to a need, especially in the future. She said, “ the information that came back obviously state there was a need based on our current occupancy rate and the high inventory rate throughout the county, we’re not quite there yet, but it did give us a good baseline of things to start planning for and for the future.”
The Highlands Group said until some of the assumptions with the city growth and development are met, there is not enough unmet demand or restaurants in downtown Cleveland to support a new hotel now.
The consultants estimated room night demand of the groups interviewed resulting in an annual need of 8,776 room nights. The largest county came from events at Truett McConnell College and five vineyard and winery establishments. Additional room nights came from other leisure and corporate sources. The study results also suggest that prospective guest would wire a full service restaurant adjacent to or very nearby and proposed hotel location.
Along with the chamber the study was commissioned in partnership with the White County Planning and Community Development office, City of Cleveland and Georgia Power.
