At a special meeting of the Greene County Redevelopment Commission on Tuesday afternoon, the Commission unanimously approved the sale of approximately three acres of land to local hotel developer, Mike and Debbie Hicks, for the construction of an 80 unit Comforts Suites hotel. The hotel will be located in Greene County at the intersection of U.S 231 and County Line Road. The location is just south of the new I-69 and US 231 intersection.
The new hotel will have an anticipated employment of 20 jobs and will serve the new Battery Innovation Center, the WestGate Academy and Training Center, the WestGate@Crane Technology Park, and NSWC Crane as well as Bloomfield, Linton and the surrounding area. The availability of new hotel facilities in the County promises to increase tourism opportunities for the Goose Pond and other local attractions. Because of the natural beauty of the Greene County area, additional hotel facilities in the County will help make the area an attractive stop for motor coach tours that might include Amish appreciation and craftsman demonstrations. Hicks noted that the hotel would also provide lodging for “weddings, high school and family reunions, and sport leagues tournament participants”. Hicks anticipates that hotel construction will begin within the next few months.
Hicks Hotels, the Hicks’ management company, will operate the hotel. The couple also own and operate the Comfort Suites in French Lick which was the recipient of Choice Hotels customer service award in 2011 and Choice Hotels “Rookie of Year” award in 2010. The Greene County hotel will be an all-suites hotel that is similar to the Comfort Suites in French Lick. The hotel will feature an in-door pool with an adjoining hot tub, meeting space, business center, free WIFI, fitness center, and a complimentary hot breakfast. Each suite will have a refrigerator, microwave, safe, 37” HD flat screen TV, and sofa bed. Two of the suites will have a private hot tub.
The hotel is the first phase of a larger plan for the development of a 37 acre tract acquired by the Commission in 2010, that includes proposed sites for restaurants, convenience stores, and other commercial and retail businesses that will serve the future needs of the area. Developers interested in any of these remaining sites may contact Joan Bethell at GCEDC (812) 847-4500.
