Negotiations that started in November 2018 that would mean an investment of $150 million for Jackson and Madison County may be within hours of becoming reality.
Headquartered in Chicago, Great Wolf Lodge is a family resort with an indoor water park, restaurants, arcades and spas, and is looking at Tiger Jones Park, which is located off Ridgecrest Road in northeast Jackson.
The investment would mean 500 jobs for the area – 250 full time – while attracting about 500,000 visitors annually.
“It’s not done, yet,” said Kyle Spurgeon, president/CEO of the Jackson Chamber, “But, we have an opportunity for a $150 million project … 300 rooms.
“We are very close to nailing this thing down (and) we will know in a couple of months.”
Great Wolf Lodge has 18 existing lodges in the United States and Canada, and Spurgeon warned this is a competitive project.
“This is a family resort,” Spurgeon said, “But this (will) change tourism in West Tennessee. It will significantly impact tax collections, hotel, motel tax collections … it’s going to raise opportunities for everyone in this community.”
Construction on the project is tentatively scheduled to begin in the summer of 2021, with a completion date 18 months later.
Lori Nunnery executive director Jackson Convention and Visitor Bureau, said the project will not only benefit Jackson, but the surrounding region.
“The opportunities this is going to bring to Jackson and West Tennessee are beyond measure at this point,” Nunnery said, “We’re excited about Great Wolf considering us as a location.
“The potential for a $150 million investment … over 500 jobs – full time, part time, seasonal – this can only be a win for Jackson with another half million people coming in to visit us annually.”
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(PHOTO: One of 18 Great Wolf Lodge resorts)
David Thomas, Twitter – @DavidThomasWNWS
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