Mayland President John Boyd thanks sponsors, project partners
Mayland Community College President Dr. John Boyd looks out at the crowd Tuesday, June 29 during a special grand opening ceremony for the Blue Ridge Boutique Hotel. Boyd addressed the attendees, thanking community members and sponsors for their support of the project before those in attendance toured the hotel. (MNJ photo/Ariana Maniatis)
The Blue Ridge Boutique Hotel had a special grand opening ceremony on Tuesday, June 29 in which Mayland Community College President Dr. John Boyd spoke on behalf of the hotel and all those who put work into renovating and upgrading the hotel.
“For people who have walked through this building a while back, it has really made a transformation,” Boyd said.
Boyd said most days, 25-30 people were in the building working.
“It takes what we spent on this project and all of a sudden it becomes a $3-4 million impact on the community and that starts to become significant,” he said. “Not just Spruce Pine, but the three counties.”
Boyd went on to thank a myriad of community members who helped make the project a reality.
“Our college faculty and staff make all the difference in the world when you have the support down here for that,” Boyd said. “I’ve got students here who are staffing the hotel. Almost all of the staffing in the hotel is student-based.”
Boyd said people have already reached out to make reservations.
“It’s been a great project with a lot of community support and a lot of community help from great people,” Boyd said.
Boyd added that there’s still work to be done. He estimates that sometime around February, work will begin on the hotel’s third floor and a restaurant and bar area will be added later.
“In everything we do, we try to create a bit of a wow factor and keep excellence always in mind,” Boyd said.
Boyd thanked others for the financial support, including The Town of Spruce Pine and Mitchell County. He also thanked Senator Ralph Hise for his help in the project.
“Really, our ability to do this project rested with them and their help early on,” Boyd said.
Following Boyd’s remarks, attendees toured the hotel.
“There are a lot of great things happening in our region right now and a lot of great people,” Boyd said. “I am honored to be working with so many great people that are looking at how we can make our communities better. Thank you to everyone that had a hand in this.”