Study finds hotels are feasible in Marshfield, Rogersville

A hotel market feasibility study finds that there is a need for hotels in Marshfield and Rogersville.

The study was completed for the Webster County Commission, working in cooperation with city leaders throughout the county. Oshkosh, Wisconsin-based Core Distinction Group conducted the study, according to a news release.

“With Marshfield being on I-44, and Rogersville on U.S. Highway 60, the two towns are really two different markets,” said Paul Ipock, presiding commissioner, of the study’s findings, in the release. “The feasibility study found there to be sufficient demand for a new facility in both locations.”

Webster County Southern Commissioner Randy Owens said the idea for the study came out of work with Retail Strategies, a national consulting firm the county retained to help bring new businesses to the area.

“After some preliminary work indicated the potential was there, the cities of Marshfield and Rogersville agreed to partner with us on the final report,” Owens said in the release.

Jessica Junker, managing partner of Core Distinction Group, visited Webster County in early summer, according to Northern Commissioner Dale Fraker.

“She came and toured several communities in Webster County and sat down with a number of local leaders to get a good understanding of the area,” Fraker said in the release.

Junker said that although both Rogersville and Marshfield have a need for new lodging in the coming years, their needs differ in quantity.

“Marshfield has need for an additional 70 to 90 new, upper-midscale hotel rooms,” she said in the release. “Rogersville has a need for between 45 and 55 new, upper-midscale rooms. Both communities offer an optimistic economic outlook, and the potential of these new hotel developments offer an additional option for travelers and can help surrounding community businesses grow.”

In an interview yesterday, Ipock told Springfield Business Journal a couple of prospects for hotels are examining sites in the county. However, he declined to identify them.

The Marshfield and Rogersville studies are available from their respective city administrator’s offices, Ipock said.