Hoopeston has been selected as a site where a national hotel chain is looking to build. Cobblestone Hotels has agreed that Hoopeston would be a fit for one of its franchises.

Harry Brockus, CEO of Hoopeston Regional Health Center and a member of a foundation seeking economic development in Hoopeston, says a group of local investors is looking into financing and operating the hotel. He says it is proposed for a 5-acre site along Illinois route 9 between Star Chrysler and a Marathon gas station.

Brockus adds one thing being explored is possibly getting some help with funding through the USDA.

In addition to the hotel, Hoopeston may also get a new truck stop and truck wash facility. Brockus says if the truck stop comes to town it would likely bring a new restaurant with it. The truck stop is being proposed for the southeast corner of Illinois routes 1 and 9.

Although neither the hotel nor the truck stop have signed agreements yet, Brockus is optimistic that both will come about. He notes there are 700 trucks a week that go through the route 1 and 9 intersection, and several truckers live in Hoopeston. Yet Brockus adds there is no place for them to get fuel or wash their trucks. He says the economic development group is simply trying to bring services to town that Hoopeston needs.

Development of the truck stop could get underway later this year, but Brockus says it will likely be sometime next year before construction of the new hotel would start. Both developments are contingent upon financing and working out other details.

94.1 WGFA