Business officials cut the ribbon on what is now Schuylkill County’s largest hotel on Thursday.
The 111-room Towneplace Suites by Marriott, an extended stay hotel, is now open at the Highridge Business Park. It promises to serve as a resting spot for travelers, tourists, and business executives.
Towneplace Suites is part of the Onvo Travel Plaza at Highridge and the franchise location is actually owned by Onvo co-founders Sonny Singh and Andy Aulakh.
“Onvo’ commitment is to give back to the communities they serve,” Aulakh said Thursday. “This is just the beginning. Thank you for welcoming us and allowing us to be your neighbors.”
In his comments, Aulakh said the opening of the new hotel culminates he and his brother’s company’s vision to provide services and amenities to the area and travelers. He thanked Schuylkill Economic Development Corp. (SEDCO) for “sticking with him” for more than a decade to bring this project and the neighboring truck stop and convenience store to fruition.
“We really thank you folks for putting your faith in us and letting us live up to your expectations,” Aulakh said.
He also thanked Cass Township officials for smoothly giving the OK to permits and development plans to get the project completed in a timely manner.
The new hotel features modern amenities fit for longer stays like fully-equipped kitchens, high-speed internet, on-site laundry, and pet-friendly suites. It also has an indoor pool, free breakfast buffet, convenience store, 24-hour fitness center, and outdoor patio complete with a firepit. An ample business meeting space is also available.
Towneplace Suites was built in just 11 months and represents the Singh and Aulakh’s fifth hotel with the Marriott franchise. Aulakh thanked Speedwell Construction, Manheim, for their swift work completing the hotel project.
“They knew our expectations and they exceeded them,” he said.
“Schuylkill County is open for business.”
The addition of Towneplace Suites by Marriott signifies a milestone moment for SEDCO and its Highridge Business Park. It sits on a 36-acre parcel of land once owned by SEDCO, which used state funding to make it pad-ready and suitable for a business hotel.
“The Onvo project was an important first step,” SEDCO economic development manager Mark Minnig said. “Having a hotel of this caliber truly rounds out the business park and reinforces Highridge as a premier location for investment and economic growth in Schuylkill County.”
Schuylkill County Commissioners Chairman Larry Padora said the opening of Towneplace Suites shows the owners’ perseverance and vision. He said the County government is working to develop the Schuylkill County Regional Airport so that it can support more business travelers who will find benefit in a hotel like this.
“I want to thank you and your family for investing in Schuylkill County,” he told Aualkh and Singh. “Schuylkill County is open for business.”
In addition to its potential attractiveness to business travelers, the hotel will also provide benefits to its home municipality, Cass Township, and could bring in up to $90,000 to Explore Schuylkill and SEDCO through the county’s hotel tax.
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