Alabama Gets $300M Country Music Resort

Posted by amyclark on 08/24/2008
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2/26/2008 Meaghan Mitchell The state of Alabama is not only the childhood home of country music legend Hank Williams, but it will soon be home to the newest country music theme park. With a nod from another country legend and spokesman, George Jones, the Houston County Commission of Dothan, Alabama (south Alabama) has unanimously approved plans for a country music resort with big-name entertainment, bingo, and an amphitheater. The development agreement was signed Monday with Ronnie Gilley Properties of Enterprise. The project is called Country Crossing and is to include hotels, restaurants, and stores with ties to various country music stars. "This is a project that could create a national destination for our county and region," Commission Chairman Mark Culver said. With a site in Houston County still to be chosen, Country Crossing was described as a $100 million to $300 million private investment expected to attract a half million visitors and employ nearly 3,000 people in its first year. The developers expect the project to grow to 1 million visitors and some 4,200 jobs by the end of five years. George Jones promoted the project before about 150 people attending the commission meeting. He will be one of the several anchor artists to perform at Country Crossing at least four times a year. According to project officials, close to a dozen Nashville stars have signed letters of intent, with seven others expected soon.