Source: The News Observer

A local developer and a contractor say 1,000 or more jobs could be created if the Blue Ridge City Council would vote to allow restaurants to serve beer and wine by the drink.

Developer Ronnie Tipton told council members Thursday night at a public meeting that a couple of well-known chain restaurants are interested in locating on his property north of Home Depot, if the ability to serve beer and wine is available.

Tipton was joined by local contractor Howard Slaughter, who is working with another group of developers wanting to move forward with a large project on 26 acres near the Fannin/Gilmer county line.

Slaughter said the ability to serve beer and wine is also key to the project he represents.

Unlike Tipton, whose property is already located in the city limits, the property that Slaughter represents is not in the city. It is located on Hwy. 515 South, which the city council has been trying to annex into the city for more than a year.

During the meeting, Slaughter showed the council the plans for the development that includes retail business space, a hotel, a major chain restaurant and other restaurants and a 2,000 seat country music auditorium.

Slaughter said he has “gone as far as he can go” and if a decision isn’t made soon by the council, the project could move to Gilmer County where the developers have an option on 32 acres in the Whitepath area.

According to Slaughter, The Gateway to Blue Ridge project would be developed in several phases and would add at least 400 permanent jobs, in addition to the more than 200 temporary jobs that will be created during the construction.

“We not going to tear up the mountains like East Ellijay,” Slaughter said.

For instance, he explained, “We will recycle our water and put in a sewage pumping station to help the city extend the sewer lines along Hwy. 515.”

He said Logan’s Outback Steakhouse and Applebee’s are interested in the location, along with Bass Pro Shops and Dick’s Sporting.

“But, without the beer and wine availability, we cannot get the restaurants which will draw the other businesses,” Slaughter said.

“We are in hard economic times so we need to look at everything we can to help the economy here,” he said. “We are in a tourist area. That is our main draw and we need to build on it.”

Slaughter said the issue of beer and wine “is not a moral issue or a religious issue. It’s an economic issue.”

He said he has fought to keep the project in Fannin County even though the others involved have wanted to go to Gilmer County.

“But I have gone as far as I can to keep it here,” Slaughter said.

Tipton said Kroger in interested in locating a store in Blue Ridge, but won’t come here without the restaurants and they won’t come without the beer and wine.

“I can see us adding 1,000 jobs, good jobs, if we can develop the property, but not without beer and wine. It just won’t happen,” Tipton said.

He said Longhorn, Applebee’s, Staples and Office Max have also expressed interest.

Fannin County Veterinarian Jim McClearen, who recently opened Cohutta Feed and County Store along with a veterinary clinic and a restaurant on Hwy. 515, said this county lost its industrial jobs long ago and the only thing left is tourism.

“A few restaurants with beer and wine will draw others restaurants and other businesses to help our economy,” McClearen said. “Blue Ridge is still a destination, however if we lose that designation, the tourist won’t come back.”

He said Blue Ridge and Fannin County are fortunate to have an opportunity that the developers are offering.

“These are tough choices we are asking the council to make, but we have to make the tough choices for the future of the community,” McClearen said.

Blue Ridge Mayor Robert Greene said the council will consider the information and comments and determine how to proceed.

Greene made no commitment as to when or if the council would take any action on changing the current city ordinance to include a pouring license for beer and wine.

The city already allows packaged beer and wine sales.