Wednesday’s ribbon cutting at the newly opened Marriott Fairfield Inn & Suites has added 85 rooms to the lodging landscape in South Boston and Halifax County.

Located on Highway 58 between Highway 360 and U.S. 501, the hotel has a conference room, outdoor patio and an indoor pool and exercise room, and has created almost 20 new jobs.

The hotel has 25 suites and 60 standard rooms, and the brand serves business travelers during the week and vacationers and families on the weekend.

James Edmunds, vice-chairman of the Halifax County Board of Supervisors, said the hotel is a welcome addition to the county.

“It’s a boon to tourism, economic development and everything that goes with it,” said Edmunds, who expressed the county’s gratitude for locating the hotel here. “We want it filled to capacity every day and I know the owners would also.  The owners could have chosen many other directions but chose instead to locate here.  It was needed, and I hope we get more opportunities like this property in the future.”

“I want to thank the management group that put this lovely facility together,” said South Boston Mayor Carroll Thackston on behalf of the approximately 8,500 residents of his town.  “We look forward to seeing this parking lot full, if not everyday, at least 85 percent full.”

Dennis Truitt and Robert Ferguson, co-general partners for the project, reflected on the difference their project will make in the community.

“A lot of you have driven by here and wondered if this would ever get done, and to tell the truth, sometimes we thought we were building an ark,” said Truitt, referring to the abnormally wet weather that hampered construction of the hotel.

“We’re glad to be here and are sure this will make a difference in our community.”

from The Gazette Virginian