July 13–MADISON — Village officials could barely contain their excitement Friday morning as they broke ground for a second hotel on property just off the Interstate 90 exit to Route 528 on Water Tower Drive.

"Whatever you need we are here for you," Madison Mayor Sam Britton said during a ground breaking ceremony for a new Hampton Inn at 171 Water Tower Drive, which will be located near a Holiday Inn Express already under construction.

JCI Contractors out of Ashtabula will serve as the general contractor for the $11 million project. According to JCI, the 54,000-square-foot hotel will occupy 2 acres and feature an indoor pool, fitness center and meeting room. It is expected to be completed by late spring.

Madison Village Administrator Dwayne Bailey said the new hotel — as well as a partnership between Lake and Ashtabula counties — is important for the village, the region and the area's tourism growth.

Emerald Hospitality Associates, out of Westlake, will manage the hotel. President James Gerish said he was excited to see more than 60 people show up for the event.

"We have 27 hotels and we have another 12 underway," he said, adding, "We are really looking forward to being a good citizen here."

Madison Village Council President Duane Frager said seeds planted five years ago helped pave the way for the hotel construction. He said a village economic development committee begged and pleaded council for $2,000 to market the village to potential developers.

"We wanted to

open the door and show the world what a great story Madison is," he said.

Vineyard Hotel Group LLC will own the hotel. President Chuck Borsukoff said he was involved with another group of investors to place another hotel on the same spot 10 or 12 years ago that didn't come to fruition, but he stayed involved in the process and eventually purchased the land.

Britton said he was surprised both hotels got the green light, but he is excited about the potential for growth in the village. He said there is a lot of land in the area that could be used for development.

Both hotels will be in the 80-room range.

Britton said the village is not making any plans to spend new tax money until it is actually collected. He said there is hope for a variety of new businesses.

"We are talking strip malls, gas stations and more restaurants. … We will listen to anybody," Britton said.

Borsukoff said his hotel group is looking at a variety of projects in northeastern Ohio.