Lodging is vital for our town

Hello friends! I hope everyone is doing well.

I’ve had a lot on my mind this week — specifically, how we take Manchester from being a great day-trip destination to becoming a place people stay… and stay awhile.

Because the truth is, we’re closer than ever.

We’ve built something special here. From our downtown improvements and events to the growth around Jockey Street, kayaking on Goose Creek, and the excitement surrounding the distillery, we are giving people more reasons than ever to come to Manchester. Folks are noticing. They’re visiting. They’re spending time here.

But then they leave.

Not because they want to — but because they have to.

Right now, our biggest missing piece is lodging.

Yes, we have a few Airbnb options, and we’re grateful for every one of them. They play an important role in our tourism efforts. But they simply can’t accommodate larger groups — ball teams, tour buses, or conferences. And that’s where we’re losing opportunity.

What happens if we land a tourism conference with 100 or more people? Where do they stay?

We do have a hotel, and the people there do a great job. But if we’re being honest, we don’t currently offer the type of accommodations many travelers expect — the Holiday Inn Express or Hampton Inn level that has become the industry standard.

And that matters.

I’ve had conversations with hotel developers and owners, and the message is consistent: they’re interested, but they need the right opportunity — particularly when it comes to available property and incentives.

That’s where the conversation needs to turn local and state.

The old Highway Department property sits in a prime location. Can you imagine what that space could become? A modern hotel, a restaurant, maybe even a small conference center — right in the heart of our community.

I can see it clearly.

And more importantly, I can see what it would do for Manchester.

It wouldn’t just add rooms — it would multiply our economic impact overnight. More visitors staying means more people eating in our restaurants, shopping in our stores, attending our events and coming back again.

This isn’t just an idea. It’s a realistic opportunity.

But it’s going to take effort. It’s going to take leadership. And it’s going to take support — especially from the state level, since that property is not locally owned.

I’ve been talking about this for years, and I believe in it now more than ever.

If we want to stop selling ourselves short, this is the next step.

We’ve done the hard part. We’ve created a place people want to visit.

Now it’s time to give them a place to stay.

Much love, Manchester.