Updated 11/12/2005 01:31 PM
Randy Parton to open $130 million entertainment complex
By: Tim Boyum & Web Staff
(ROANOKE RAPIDS) - Country music icon Dolly Parton helped her brother bring a huge economic boost to North Carolina Friday. Randy Parton plans to build a $130 million entertainment complex in Halifax County. The Partons hope it will become the Branson of the east coast
It was Randy Parton’s big day, but, as usual, his sister stole the show.
Dolly Parton told the crowd, “Those of you out there, watch the CMA's Tuesday night. I’m going to be out there with Elton John. Now I don't know what kind of dress he's going to be wearing, but mine's going to be gold and white.”
Her big brother is opening a theater and entertainment complex. It will host Grand Olde Opry legends and up and coming county singers.
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“Some time ago Deb and I came to Roanoke Rapids and just fell in love with the place, and I think we made the right choice. You people made that clear coming out here today,” said Randy Parton.
Shopping, hotels, and restaurants will surround the theater, providing more than 2,500 jobs in an area crippled by textile job layoffs.
Roanoke Rapids resident Ann Simmons said, “I think it's real good for the community, real good. Hopefully it will provide a lot of jobs for the area.”
“I just think our town needs something. We need some entertainment for our children. Our children suffer ‘cause there's nothing to do around here,” said Dolly Parton fan Freda Sexton.
The Partons, Halifax County, and Roanoke Rapids all firmly believe this will succeed in North Carolina for one big reason, and that reason is I-95. Thousands of cars from New York to Florida pass by every day. It doesn’t hurt that Randy Parton’s sister is a country music icon, either.
Dolly Parton said, “Randy has worked at Dollywood, my theme park across the mountain, since we started, for about 20 years. We're certainly going to miss him but Dollywood's loss is North Carolina’s gain.
The complex opens in the spring of 2007, and is expected to bring in $120 million a year to the area.
Randy Parton helped run Dollywood in Tennessee for more than 20 years. His big sister Dolly said she’ll be back to sing many times in the years ahead.