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Thomas Ouellette
According to Taylor University officials, Upland doesn't have any hotels. This means visitors have to either get short term rentals in town or stay in other places like Gas City. Andrea Masvero is the executive director of 1846 enterprises, an organization that creates revenue generating opportunities for Taylor University. She says the new hotel will benefit more than just the families of university students.

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Andrea Masvero
And the hotel really draws in visitors and hospitality dollars that drive the local economy. So then we can cycle dollars through our own cohort, our own residents. But really, we want to bring in those outside dollars to make sure that the economic development of town is happening.

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Thomas Ouellette
The hotel will eventually be joined by 14 guest cottages and a wedding venue. The total cost of the project is about 35 million dollars, with a construction time of two and a half years. The money comes from a Lilly Endowment grant received in 2024 and other matching funds in the Upland area. I'm Thomas Ouellette in Upland.