Wythe Co. leaders hope to add entertainment venue along I77, I81 intersection

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Rob Manch – WYTHE COUNTY (WSLS 10) - For people in Wythe County, concerts and events are often around an hour's drive away.

But the county plans to reduce commutes for entertainment with the construction of a multi-million dollar facility near the intersection of interstates 77 and 81. County spokesman Jeremy Farley said a 90-acre field there may be the answer to boosting the county's economy, too.

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"By building this center here, it will allow opportunities for some of the stores that people have desired to be here," Farley explained.

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The plans detail soccer fields, parking lots and barns for livestock, but the main feature will be an arena - visible from the interstate and capable of seating 5,000 people.

"This is a multi-million dollar project. There's already $3 million have been invested with the purchase of the land, as well as infrastructure improvements," Farley explained.

Farley said he hopes the project will take advantage of the some 75,000 cars and trucks passing through every day.

So far, Wythe County has secured a $750,000 grant from the Tobacco Commission to begin the project. That's enough to move forward, but Farley says the county is working hard to secure more money.

"The main priority at this stage is just getting the arena itself built. We're working at securing a partnership; we're working to secure additional grant funding, as well as sponsorship," Farley said.