Portland, Tennessee Blog

Speaking of sit down restaurants, I heard a Denny's was a part of this hotel deal. I like Denny's okay, but hope that if what I heard is true, it does well to attract others. Tht was the worst thing about Ponderosa. If it had been managed well and not run off most of the people that wanted to support it, we'd likely already have other restaurants interested.

Any truth to the Denny's rumors Mike?

I think it is fantastic that Portland does something to incourage new business in the area to stimulate economic growth. I think it would have been wiser to attract a business that would also benefit from local residents such as a sit-down dining establishment though. This way you could get revenue from travelers and residents both and create a reason for some weary travelers to stay the night. If I were passing through and saw that the closest fast food chain is 10 miles round trip, I would continue on to the next exit where both are convenient to the interstate.

Also, it seems a gamble to flip the bill for assisting in providing utilities to a business in another city. Have we seen any funds from the Shell station in Orlinda that happens to be the booming beer sales channel for Portland on Sunday's? I would imagine that the same provisions were made in regards to utilites for that business too.

I think it is fantastic that Portland does something to incourage new business in the area to stimulate economic growth. I think it would have been wiser to attract a business that would also benefit from local residents such as a sit-down dining establishment though. This way you could get revenue from travelers and residents both and create a reason for some weary travelers to stay the night. If I were passing through and saw that the closest fast food chain is 10 miles round trip, I would continue on to the next exit where both are convenient to the interstate.

Also, it seems a gamble to flip the bill for assisting in providing utilities to a business in another city. Have we seen any funds from the Shell station in Orlinda that happens to be the booming beer sales channel for Portland on Sunday's? I would imagine that the same provisions were made in regards to utilites for that business too.

the plans are in place; zoning, land use map, etc.
it is up to individuals willing to borrow money and take risk. no city forces people to invest, but they do what is in their power to make it easier.
we are working on infrastructure, zoning, and tax incentives, to make sure we are worth looking at.
there has to be a start somewhere, everything does not get developed at once.
we should be thankful for this new business, this is how it all starts; someone willing to invest in our city.
thanks for the post

If the new hotel is going up, does Portland intend to make needed changes within our city limits to accomodate this? Are there plans for actual restaurants and other shopping?? You can put up 100 hotels by the interstate, but if we have nothing in town for the visitors, what do we stand to gain???

Is it just me or does something go wrong every time they put the 52 west corridor overlay maps on for viewing. I can't open it and hope it gets fixed if there is a problem and it's not just me.

Sorry Tim, we are out traveling and I am in an out on the internet.
There is no tax sharing, the agreement is that they will help us in the annex of the new UGB (no different then other agreements outside the city).
We think this is a very good plan for the city.
The hotel is paying for the infrastructure and of cousre they will pay the required rates.
This helps the city by generating interest at the exit, so that 52 can be built up; and with the new corridor plan we are excited about the possibilities.
Without development directly at the interstate, there will will be little hope for growth down 52, and we also need the annex of land down 31-W.
Hope this helps. There is a larger picture besides what is directly seen.

Hey Mike, I don't mean to bug ya, but do you have those numbers or are they "confidiential." I'll stop bugging you if anomnity was part of the deal with Orlinda or something. Just let me know.

Thanks

It looks like from the article, that Orlina stands to benefit and Portland stands to pay...for the infrastructure needed for this, etc., since Portland doesn't have control of any of the land there.
I suppose the hope is that when this business is open, then other businesses will open up on our side of the area, and we will then benefit from the tax dollars of those. I doubt if any of the tourists staying in a hotel at the interstate will drive into town to eat at one of our fast food places....but you never know. Some may.

Guess it will prove the old saying true, if it happens.....

"You have to give, to get "

Mike, are you privy to what the numbers are regarding how the sales tax will be shared or what deal was reached between the two cities to make this possible?