(KNOXVILLE, TN � 08/02/10) McKibbon Hotel Group, Inc. has announced execution of phase one construction on the Hampton Inn & Suites Farragut, located in the 300-acre Turkey Creek commercial and retail development in West Knoxville.
 
The 60,475 square foot hotel will feature 105 rooms (including 31 suites), 660 square feet of meeting space, a fitness center, outdoor pool and fire pit patio area.  The property is conveniently located near both I-75 and I-40 in Turkey Creek, featuring a variety of shopping, dining and entertainment options in the largest commercial development in Knoxville.
 
�Despite the challenges in the economy, our hotels in the Turkey Creek development have maintained a steady share of the market over the last 12 months,� explained Vann Herring, President/CEO of McKibbon Hotel Management, Inc.  �This ideal mixed-use location, combined with the popularity of the Hampton brand, will help us to win continued success with the addition of this new West Knoxville hotel.�
 
The Hampton Inn & Suites Farragut will be McKibbon�s sixth managed property in Knoxville, and their third joint venture in the area with Turkey Creek Land Partners, LLC.  McKibbon also owns and manages the SpringHill Suites by Marriott Knoxville at Turkey Creek and the Homewood Suites by Hilton Knoxville West at Turkey Creek.
 
Financing for the project is provided by First Tennessee Bank. 
 
�We are extremely pleased to partner with First Tennessee Bank on this project,� stated David Hughs, President of McKibbon Hotel Group, Inc.  �Financing hotel construction has been a challenge in today�s economic environment, and First Tennessee�s confidence in us to develop another successful hotel is encouraging to us as a company and to our industry that conditions are continuing to improve.�
 
Site work for the project is currently underway, with construction anticipated to commence in August.  G. W. Wyatt Contracting, LLC of Jefferson City, Tennessee will be conducting all phase one site preparation, and Kellogg & Kimsey, Inc. of Sarasota, Florida has been selected as the general contractor.  They have partnered previously with McKibbon Hotel Group on several award-winning hotel projects in Florida and Georgia.
 
The Hampton Inn & Suites Farragut is slated to open in Summer 2011.
 
About McKibbon Hotel Group, Inc./McKibbon Hotel Management, Inc.
McKibbon Hotel Group, Inc., based in Gainesville, Georgia, is a privately owned enterprise that has grown into an award-winning premier real estate developer and owner of nationally franchised hotel brands for Marriott, Hilton and Starwood Hotels.  McKibbon is proud to be a recognized leader for over 83 years in the hospitality industry, and McKibbon Hotel Management, Inc., based in Tampa, Florida, currently operates over 60 mid and upscale brands in 8 states throughout the Southeast.  The company has a rich history and culture that promotes a family oriented environment, while holding true to its core values of honesty, integrity and loyalty.  For more information, visit www.mckibbon.com.