Coffee County residents react to losing Country Crossing

ENTERPRISE – Enterprise developer Ronnie Gilley told Houston County Commission members on Monday that he is taking his Country Crossing development plans to Houston County, and Coffee County residents say they are disappointed to see the project go.

Country Crossing, which Gilley and country music star George Jones had planned to build along Highway 167 north of Enterprise, was supposed to be bigger and better than a similar development in Branson, Mo.,  and many local residents and community leaders say they were looking forward to the positive economic impact such a development would have had on the area.

However, the Houston County Commission approved measures Monday morning to pave the way for Country Crossing to be built there instead of Coffee County.

Jones described Country Crossing to Houston County officials Monday as “ the most important new entertainment development resort in the country.” Gilley said more than 20 country music artists are near final signed agreements to put themed attractions at the site.

New Brockton and Enterprise officials and area residents expressed regrets about the proposed multi-million-dollar development being shifted from Coffee County to Houston County.

“I was disappointed,” said New Brockton Mayor Charles Cole. “It would have had a great impact on the town and the county as well.

“I wish we had been in a position to support it more,” Cole said.

“I was thinking it would be close enough to help the town,” said New Brockton Councilman Johnny Herron. “I am clearly disappointed in the decision to move the country music park to Houston County.”

Residents Ken and Shirley York said they were also disappointed. She said she had hoped the development would have meant upgrading fire service to that region of the county, which is where the couple lives.

“They’ll be taking a lot of revenue away from Coffee County” Ken York said.

Cutts Restaurant owner Rick Cutts said he was surprised to hear the news.

“I hate to hear that,” Cutts said. “I’d rather it stay here in Coffee County.

“I had expected the construction to help my business, naturally,” Cutts said. “Will it hurt my business? No, because I never had it.

“I guess anywhere in the Wiregrass is better than nothing at all.”

“I am surprised to hear the news,” said Enterprise Mayor Kenneth Boswell. “I wish we could have had it in Coffee County.”

Boswell said all is not lost, though. He said he is trying to follow Gov. Bob Riley’s lead in thinking more regionally, and he said having the country music park developed in Houston County could still be good for Coffee County.

“Those employees have got to come from somewhere,” Boswell said. “I think we stand to benefit whether it is built in Coffee County or Houston County.”

Danny Harrison is a staff writer for the Enterprise Ledger. Enterprise Ledger Staff Writer Carole Brand also contributed to this story.