ATLANTA - America's Best Value Inn is the new name of the formerRoute 66 hotel, and officials hope the revamped facility will boostjobs and tourism in the area."This hotel plays a key role in theplans for our future," Atlanta Mayor Bill Martin said of the town'sonly hotel. "Future plans to expand the hotel only are furthersupportive of our plans for Atlanta."Martin was among about 40 localand county officials on hand Monday morning for the grand reopeningof the business, located off Interstate 55 near historic Route 66. Ithad been closed for at least eight months.New owner Narish Desai hasalready completed renovations on the interior of the building,including updated rooms with high- speed Internet access. He hasfuture plans for a pool, business center and meeting rooms, as wellas a restaurant, pizza parlor and ice cream shop."The sky's the limitwith what we want to do," said Desai. "The development on thisproperty will be a boost to the tourism of our region. This will alsocreate employment to the region and uplift the town as awhole."Martin noted that with so many new Route 66 projects, therewill most likely be an increase in tourists to the area. That makesit even better to have a local hotel so visitors can spend the nightrather than quickly driving through the town, he said."I'm thrilledthe new owners have already come up with ideas for the future, whichgoes along with the future of our community," said Martin. "Thishotel is good for Atlanta and I think Atlanta is good for thehotel."Rob Orr, Logan County director of economic development, waspleased to see that while Desai could have invested his moneyanywhere, he chose the small town of Atlanta."That says a lot aboutthe attractions that we offer in this area," Orr said.Lincoln MayorBeth Davis also extended her welcome."We're glad you're here and hopewe can all work together to keep our county growing," said Davis.Thisis the 15th Best Value Inn in Illinois, said America's Best Value InnMidwest Region Director John Mattson.
CUTLINE:
PUB: The Pantagraph
PUB DATE: 20060131
Section: Money
EDITION: Main
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