Hollywood Gaming will boost fortunes of nearby hotels, operators hope

By KALEA HALL

khall@vindy.com

AUSTINTOWN

Employees at the Comfort Inn off state Route 46 have been waiting two years for the opening of Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course.

“At this point we have been so busy with people who have stayed here getting ready for the racino that I haven’t had time to take a breath,” said Shelley Stevens, Comfort Inn general manager.

Comfort Inn isn’t alone. Holiday Inn Express, Hampton Inn, Country Inn and Suites and a half-dozen other hotels have been busy providing rooms for workers at the racino and now are preparing for its opening Wednesday and the start of the racing season Nov. 24.

“I think the horse-racing portion of the racino is going to be the most beneficial” for the Hampton Inn, said David Kovass, president of Meander Hospitality Group. “I am not sure that the gaming itself will provide overnight guests because of the regional casinos we have.”

In addition to running the Hampton Inn, Meander Hospitality Group also has submitted plans for a new Hilton in the same Route 46 corridor. The company is in the process of looking for project financing.

The racino was a consideration in the decision to build another hotel, but not the whole consideration.

“You typically do not want to place all of your eggs in one basket,” Kovass said. “We generally cast a wide net. We don’t stay focused on one area.”

Several of the hotel operators noted they always have received steady business thanks to the proximity of General Motors Lordstown and people coming and going from work there.

Read the full story, the second in a two-day series on the opening of Hollywood Gaming, on Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com.