SNOWSHOE, W.Va. — The Corduroy Inn hosted a groundbreaking ceremony Monday, July 29, to officially launch the facility’s expansion at Snowshoe Mountain Resort.

The inn, located within the Snowshoe ski resort, will remain open during the expansion. The estimated completion date is November 2020, in time for the 2020/2021 ski season.

The upscale boutique hotel currently offers 12 guest suites. The new structure will add approximately 37,000 square feet with a combination of lodging and banquet hall. Plans call for 30 more hotel units, consisting of 16 studio-apartment style rooms, 12 one-bedroom and 2 two-bedroom. The banquet space will feature floor-to-ceiling windows to capitalize on the striking views of sunsets over the Appalachian Mountains. An outdoor walkout patio area will provide an idyllic setting for cocktails or wedding photos.

During the winter ski season, lodging at Snowshoe often draws high occupancy. During the summer off-season, the area still draws visits with special events. Expanding the Corduroy Inn’s conference and wedding capabilities is expected to position it as a prime wedding destination throughout summer and fall.

“This is one of the most significant lodging developments at Snowshoe Mountain in more than a decade,” said Shawn Cassell, public relations manager for Snowshoe Mountain Resort. The resort is helping to organize the groundbreaking celebration.

“We see the expansion of the Corduroy Inn as a positive sign for everyone on Snowshoe,” Cassell said. “The Alterra Mountain Company, the new owners who acquired Snowshoe Mountain Resort in 2017, are interested in upgrading and renovations. Having a range of options such as Corduroy Inn for our guests is good for all of us. People are feeling optimistic.”

The Corduroy Inn obtained funding through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development loan program, designed to help create quality jobs in rural areas. The USDA called on the West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC) to assist with the loan package.

“The USDA has at times relied on our business coaches to help assess the financial aspects of projects,” said WV SBDC State Director Debra Martin. “That points to the productive partnership that the WV SBDC and the USDA have.”

USDA Rural Development program specialist Brandi Burwell worked with WV SBDC Business Coach Mary Hott on the loan package. Although Snowshoe is not in the territory Hott normally serves, her experience working successfully with the exacting structure required for USDA loans made her the best choice for the task.

“That’s one of the advantages of the WV SBDC statewide network of business coaches,” Martin said. “Coaches can work with each other and with clients across the state when they have specialized skills to contribute.”

The general contractor for the expansion project is Paramount Builders, based in St. Albans, West Virginia.