DILLON, SC (WBTW) – Dillon City Council is working to boost economic development by attracting a hotel chain to the area.
Dillon City Council met earlier this week to discuss plans to build a hotel. Mayor Todd Davis says a hotel will be a great economic development project for the city and will help bring in tourism.
However, some business owners have doubts about the project.
Amish Patel is the manager of Royal Regency Inn. The hotel sits next to the I-95 exit.
“When you pass the Dillon exit, chances are 90% of the people are going to bypass it without even knowing they’re passing the hotels. You look at the Lumberton exit then you look at the Florence exit, and then you look at the Dillon exit, it’s so much different,” Patel said.
On the opposite end of the street, manager of Jab’s Fireworks shares the same sentiment.
“When we want a good meal, and enjoy sitting down, and good food, we either have to go to Lumberton or Florence,” said Jeanie Hunt.
City council says every hotel in the Dillon area doesn’t have a central hallway and that could be dangerous for many of people.
Businesses, however, think the city first needs to do more to attract people into the city.
“We need places that will draw people in, and enjoy coming into our town, or stopping on their way to the beach. Then you could build a hotel because you would need it if you get more attractions and food places here,” explained Hunt.
