spinoff business come from that. People are seeing the investment we’re making and jumping on board.” One such investor is Tim Hunt of Hunt Contracting, who is developing Savannah’s first hotel - a sophisticated four-story, 82-room establishment overlooking the river.The development plans include a conference center and restaurant, plus an infinitystyle pool with a swim-up bar.Through collaboration with the Industrial Development Authority, the city and county have structured tax incentives to support this transformative project. The development’s ripple effects are already apparent. “People are selling their old property around it,”Walley notes.“Business owners are saying, ‘I’m probably going to sell this business and open something nicer to help cater to what’s coming.’”The project also includes plans for an indoor/outdoor amphitheater, supported by a tourism enhancement grant. White adds, “Geographically, that’s the best room to grow. If we can push traffic down Pickwick Road to events happening down there, that’s where we have the most developable land for new businesses coming into town.” EVENTS AND ENTERTAINMENT Savannah’s calendar has four signature events that showcase the city’s rich cultural heritage across every season. The spring kicks off with a unique World War II reenactment called “Salute to the Forties.” “The streets are filled with reenactors that do two different spots for that reenactment during the day,” White explains. “The rest of the time we have craft vendors, period vendors, and food trucks in the street. We only have two restaurants downtown, so the addition of those food trucks brings more people to see what we’re having to offer food wise.” Summer ushers in the city’s renowned Bluegrass Festival, now entering its 47th year.The event draws music enthusiasts from across the region and features a resident champion fiddler who once toured with Bill Monroe.The festival attracts a distinct demographic, 165 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 02 SAVANNAH, TN
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