MITCHELL – A year after the landmark reopening of the renovated Spring Mill Inn, Lawrence County is seeing a significant resurgence in tourism. Following a two-year closure for upgrades, the return of the park’s premier lodging and the restoration of the Pioneer Village grist mill have revitalized the local economy.
According to Tonya Chastain, Executive Director of Lawrence County Tourism, revenue from the county’s 5% innkeepers tax has jumped approximately 15% over the previous year. The reopening returned 71 rooms to a market that had been constrained since 2022.
Diversified Growth Drivers
While the Inn remains a cornerstone, several other factors are fueling the local boom:
- Event-Based Travel: A winning season for IU football and the county’s nine wedding venues has created consistent weekend demand.
- The Airbnb Boom: The number of short-term rental listings in the county has tripled in five years, growing from 10 properties to roughly 30.
- Strategic Marketing: The Tourism Commission recently installed three new billboards on I-69 to capture north and southbound travelers.
Information: Southern Indiana Business Report
