Mar. 26--An Athens hotel giant is expected to begin construction next week on a new project along Georgia Highway 316, the lodging industry's first foray into Oconee County and a sign of things to come.

The 100-room SpringHill Suites by Marriott, under development by the Benson family's Motel Enterprises Inc., is one of two hotels planned for the major highway that leads east into Clarke County.

County officials and the business community alike are banking on the area from Epps Bridge Parkway west to U.S. Highway 78 -- already home to a number of big retailers and business parks -- continuing to grow and thrive as Oconee's major economic engine.

"We just obviously think that that is the next place that is about to explode," said Scott Norris, a spokesman for Motel Enterprises, which will hold a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday for its new project.

Motel Enterprises, which manages the Hilton Garden Inn and two Holiday Inn franchises in Athens, plans to play a large part in that boom.

After completing the SpringHill Suites project, the company plans to build a conference center and likely another hotel on the same Daniells Bridge Road site, Norris said.

Another hotel is planned for the north side of Ga. 316, part of an $18.8 million business park on Virgil Langford Road being developed by Classic City Properties.

At least one other hotel has been proposed for that area, but only two have official approval, said county Economic Development Director Rusty Haygood.

Looking ahead to the coming hotels, Oconee commissioners last year approved a tax on hotel rooms.

The officials will have to wait more than a year from now to see significant returns from the tax, however; SpringHill Suites won't open until the second quarter of next year, Norris said.

Development on Ga. 316 is a big part of the county's new comprehensive plan, Haygood said, referring to the planning document that lays out officials' view for the county's future.

"The foundation of development there is going to be guided by the recently adopted comprehensive plan," which means more retail businesses, medical offices, hotels, high-density residences, restaurants, theaters and other entertainment development, he said.

County leaders also expect to attract high-tech business, biomedical research and light industry to the corridor's west side, anchored by the so-called Orkin tract in Clarke and Oconee counties.

-----

To see more of the Athens Banner-Herald, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.onlineathens.com.

Copyright (c) 2008, Athens Banner-Herald, Ga.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.