Dolce by Wyndham is set to debut in Mississippi as part of a new hotel and conference center development in Ridgeland, just north of the state’s capital, Jackson..
Madison County has given final approval for the long-awaited Madison County Conference Center, which will be paired with a privately financed, 250-room Dolce by Wyndham at Prado Vista. The approximately $120-million combined development will include a 50,000-square-foot conference center with capacity for up to 1,800 attendees, along with the upper-upscale Dolce hotel featuring multiple dining venues and elevated amenities.
Under the public-private structure, approximately $18.9 million, nearly all of the project’s tourism rebate proceeds, will go back to Madison County to accelerate repayment of construction debt rather than serve as a developer incentive. Total investment is approximately $120 million. The conference center is financed through an urban-renewal bond structure, and the hotel is financed privately by PraCon.
“The Conference Center is a strategic, forward-looking project built with Madison County’s residents and businesses at the center,” said Gerald Steen, president of Madison County board of supervisors. “The Board of Supervisors are proud to see this vision become a reality. The public-private structure shows what strong partnerships can accomplish across Madison County. The Madison County Board of Supervisors will continue to explore opportunities to strengthen the county’s future.”
“Ridgeland is proud to be the home of the Madison County Conference Center,” said Gene McGee, mayor of City of Ridgeland. “This project gives our city and county something we have needed for many years. It is meaningful to see this long-discussed vision become a reality and we look forward to welcoming the many people who will come for future meetings and events.”
“This conference center changes the landscape of Madison County. It’s not just a building; it’s a recruitment tool that helps us compete for corporate relocations, conventions and investment we simply couldn’t pursue before,” said Joseph P. Deason, executive director of the Madison County economic development authority. “This is exactly the kind of infrastructure that sets Madison County apart.”
“The Madison County business community has talked about the need for a conference center for as long as I can remember,” said Sam Kelly, chairman of the Madison County Business League & Foundation and president of the Madison County School Board. “In fact, the Business League first passed a Resolution in support of a Conference Center in 2015. On behalf of the Business League, I want to thank the County, the City of Ridgeland, and all involved for their efforts in making the Conference Center a reality. Local restaurants, school districts, retailers and service providers from throughout the County will benefit from this project for decades to come.”
“This milestone belongs to the people and leaders who believed Madison County could create a conference destination worthy of its growth and its future,” said Gabriel Prado, CEO and president of PraCon Global Investment Group. “I want to thank the State, the Madison County Board of Supervisors, the City of Ridgeland, and our partners across Madison County for the leadership and support that made this project possible. We are honored to carry that their vision forward at Prado Vista and to deliver a conference center and hotel that will serve Madison County for generations.”
“Prado Vista at Ridgeland is an exciting setting for Dolce by Wyndham, a brand built around bringing people together through distinctive destinations, thoughtful design and exceptional meetings experiences,” said Geoff Ballotti, president and CEO of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. “We believe this hotel has the potential to become a signature hospitality destination for Mississippi and the broader region, pairing the strength of Dolce with a conference center designed to welcome major events and memorable gatherings.”