From children’s sporting events to weddings, fishing tournaments and local jobs, the new Holiday Inn Express is expected to provide an economic boost to Alexander City when it opens in 2024. Tallapoosa County Tourism Director Sandra Fuller announced the project last month with owner Jay Patel of Alexander City and IHG Hotels & Resorts. The $8 million project on U.S. Highway 280 will bring more than 20 new jobs and will fill a gap in accommodations in the area.

“I think we will see an increase in our lodging tax revenues, and that will mean more revenue coming to the city,” Fuller explained. “Sonny Wilson at Alexander City Parks and Recreation recruits sporting events to the sportplex, and this will be an attractive venue for him to bring people in. He’s got to have hotels where families and teams of children athletes can stay, and he’s had families stay in Sylacauga instead of coming to Alexander City.”