emachine,
If you don't remember when, do you remember the source?
If not, I think I would consider it a rumor.
g
I wonder if emachine is thinking of an article The Times ran in 2011? That's what immediately came to my mind when I read emachine's post.
Here is the article:
Lodging elsewhere -- Clients staying outside of Streator a sting to development
Posted: Sunday, January 2, 2011 6:43 pm Derek Barichello
Vince Luckey of Luckey Trucking says his customers and vendors from out of town will not lodge in Streator.
JoAnn Fenton of St. Mary's Hospital says doctors from out of town stay elsewhere. Occasionally, Mary Jane Funke at Vactor Manufacturing hears the same.
Community business leaders raised the issue at an economic development breakfast earlier this month.
The city has three hotels along Route 23.
There are plenty of vacancies, but visitors are not staying.
"There is a limited number of options to stay within the community, in regard to both availability and quality," said Paul Nicholson, Streator city manager. "It presents a real challenge."
Every guest who stays outside of the city represents missed tax dollars. It also increases the likelihood of such people skipping a local restaurant or eschewing a tank of gas at the local station.
"There's no question the City Council is aware of the problem," Nicholson said. "Not having business clients stay within the city has a chain reaction that affects many businesses. It is also a matter of pride. We want people to stay here."
Funke sends her clients to the Budget Inn and Suites at 1705 N. Bloomington St. The 38-room hotel has an indoor pool and exercise facility. It offers free breakfast and high-speed Internet along with most competitive chains.
"We've found their hotel satisfactory," said Funke, Vactor's human resources manager. "I try to keep people in town, unless they request otherwise, and some still do."
The America's Best Value Inn at 2110 N. Bloomington St. has 60 motel-style guest rooms and The Pines Motel on Route 23 offers more motel-style rooms. Management for both establishments were unavailable for comment.
Rocky Patel, the hotel manager at Budget Inn, does not believe the onus relies solely on hotel owners. He feels his business loses out to Ottawa's chains because of accessibility to Interstate 80 and more dining and shopping options.
"We stay in contact with the chamber of commerce to accommodate the community's needs," said Patel, who also provides rooms for the American Red Cross. "We added an indoor pool and exercise facility to be more competitive, but a lot of customers go to Ottawa because it is a bigger city and it has more options."
Jack Dzuris, executive director of the Streator Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the Chamber has tried to reach out to hotel chains to establish business and provide more options.
"There are a lot of them out there, but nobody is racing to the door to open up here," he said. "We've heard that they'll consider it as the community grows and that's a possibility with Walmart, but a lot of them are not interested because there is no major highway running through here."
Nicholson believes Walmart will make Streator a more attractive draw because of the businesses it will bring around it.
For now, Patel would like to see city officials approach hotel owners with suggested improvements.
"If they are staying out of town, why?" he said. "That's what we need to know. If there's anything we can do to improve, tell us and we can make improvements."