Rural town looks to attract tourists
The recasting of Roanoke Rapids would begin with a $129 million entertainment complex.
ROANOKE RAPIDS, N.C. -- Roanoke Rapids announced plans Thursday to turn the town in the state's rural northeastern corner into a tourism destination.
Country music artist Randy Parton, the brother of singer Dolly Parton, was to formally announce the deal between the city and private developers to create a music and entertainment district along Interstate 95. City estimates have said the complex -- complete with theaters for musicals, as well as stores and restaurants -- could open as early as spring 2007 and generate $148.5 million annually in new retail sales.
"I get a lump in the bottom of my throat just thinking about it," said mayor Drewery Beale, a Roanoke Rapids native.
As envisioned by the Northeast Partnership for Economic Development, a nonprofit group that promotes development in 16 counties of northeastern North Carolina, the recasting of Roanoke Rapids would begin with a $129 million entertainment complex. The complex would employ 2,595 workers making an estimated average of $11.25 per hour.
The hope is to follow the lead of places such as Branson, Mo., and Pigeon Forge, Tenn. -- off-the-beaten-path tourism successes -- and make the town on the Roanoke River a hot spot for live entertainment.
Last month, partnership president Rick Watson said by the time the project is fully developed, $1.5 billion will have been invested in what's traditionally been a poor area, creating an estimated 75,000 jobs over 15 years.
The anchor of the district will be the Randy Parton Theater, a proposed 35,000-square-foot theater seating 1,500 that would host concerts featuring country, pop, beach and gospel music, Randy Parton said.
In addition, the partnership said a consortium of marine life experts have joined on to open an ocean-themed theater. The theater would feature several aquariums, educational exhibits and ocean-themed movies.
In a statement, the partnership reported that the state and regional economies would get a $533.6 million boost from the entertainment district during the next three years. Additionally, about 12,250 jobs would be created during that period, according to the partnership.
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