Gov. Beshear: $33.8 Million Tourism Development Project Coming to Simpson County, Creating 163 Jobs
New entertainment complex to bring jobs and family-friendly entertainment
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 24, 2023) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced a new $33.8 million tourism development project, The Dine and Play Social House, that will create 163 jobs – 13 full-time and 150 part-time – at a family-friendly entertainment complex in Franklin in Simpson County.
Sav Hospitality LLC is constructing the 45,000-square-foot facility, which will be attached to a full-service Hampton Inn hotel, combining family-friendly entertainment options with accommodations and event space. The entertainment complex will include a bowling alley, an arcade, mini golf, axe throwing, and indoor and outdoor social game areas complete with ping pong, billiards and fowling as well as rentable event space and a restaurant.
“I want to thank the leaders of Sav Hospitality for their commitment to bring an entertainment venue and new jobs to Simpson County,” Gov. Beshear said. “We are all looking forward to seeing the positive impact this project will have on our already booming tourism industry.”
Located only five minutes from the Tennessee border, The Dine and Play Social House hopes to attract travelers from Interstate Highway 65 as well as residents by acting as a hub for entertainment for the region. The complex is expected to open by 2026.
The project is expected to generate nearly $102.2 million in net new spending over 10 years, along with $5.25 million in net new state sales and income taxes. More than 58% of visitors to the new facility are expected to be from out of state by the fourth year of operation.
“We are excited to bring The Dine and Play Social House to the Franklin-Simpson County community,” said Ashwani Sarvaria of Sav Hospitality. “In addition to providing a family-friendly entertainment option, this project will create a significant economic and tourism impact for the area.”
Upon recommendation by the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, Sav Hospitality received approval from the Kentucky Tourism Development Finance Authority in June 2023 for incentives totaling nearly $5.25 million for the project. Through the Tourism Development Act, qualifying tourism development projects can recover up to 25% of approved development costs through the recovery of sales tax generated by the development.
“The Dine and Play Social House is a welcome addition to our tourism community,” said Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet Secretary Lindy Casebier. “This tourism development project will provide a new entertainment option for families and visitors that will also bring more revenue to the Franklin-Simpson County area.”
In Simpson County, tourism supports 454 jobs and generated over $73.4 million in economic impact in 2022.
“The fiscal court has approved a TIF district for this development and will be excited to see this entertainment complex come to fruition,” said Simpson County Judge/Executive Mason Barnes. “It will be a much-needed asset to our growing community and add some additional flavor to our tourism base, which will help draw people to our community from surrounding areas. It will definitely be a benefit to our community.”
Franklin-Simpson Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Steve Thurmond said, “As one of the fastest growing counties in the commonwealth, Simpson County needs the recreational benefit this complex brings to the community. In addition, with other exciting venues in our area, the complex will be a draw not only benefiting Sav Hospitality LLC but other businesses in the area. The additional jobs and tax revenue created will allow for the continued expansions we are seeing throughout the county.”
Sav Hospitality’s tourism investment builds on recent economic momentum in the commonwealth, including within the tourism industry.
In August, Gov. Beshear announced that 2022 was the best year on record for Kentucky tourism, with $12.9 billion generated in economic impact and 91,668 jobs. That year, 75.9 million travelers visited Kentucky, spending $8.9 billion across the commonwealth, according to a study by Tourism Economics. More than $937 million in state and local taxes were generated, equating to a $536 tax savings for every Kentucky household.
Since the beginning of his administration, Gov. Beshear has announced nearly 900 private-sector new-location and expansion projects totaling over $27.5 billion in announced investments, creating 48,000 jobs. This is the highest investment figure for any governor in state history.
Site Selection magazine placed Kentucky first in the South Central region and top-5 nationally in its 2023 Prosperity Cup ranking, which recognizes state-level economic development agencies for their success in landing capital investment projects. The publication also placed Kentucky second nationwide and first in the South Central region for its annual Governor’s Cup ranking for 2022, which recognizes state-level economic success based on capital investments.
Just yesterday, Gov. Beshear announced Kentucky ranks fifth in the nation for business and infrastructure investments in Site Selection magazine’s 2023 Global Groundwork Index. The ranking factors in business investments that generate jobs, as well as infrastructure investments that help Kentucky families by providing high-speed internet, cleaner water and safer roads and bridges.
A detailed community profile for Simpson County can be viewed here. Information about Franklin and Simpson County tourism is available at visitfranklinky.com/.
For the latest Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet updates, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn. To learn more about the cabinet or for information relating to tourism development projects, visit tah.ky.gov.
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