The Greater Valley Area, like many similar communities, faces a daily and weekly challenge of coaxing travelers and tourists off the interstate and into its streets and businesses.

Between Valley, Lanett and West Point, the area has much to offer. From the numerous great restaurants to a bevy of outdoor activities, the Valley area is a great place for travelers to visit.

The people living here know this, but effectively communicating this to the outside world can prove difficult.

Most people traveling through the area do so on Interstate 85. The Greater Valley Area’s corner of I-85 does not have much to compel visitors to pull off.

That being said, all of the cities in the Valley have been looking at ways to build along the I-85 corridor in an effort to make the area more appealing. This past week it was announced at a meeting of the West Point Rotary Club that the city of West Point and Love’s Travel Stop were working on building at a location at Exit 2 on I-85 in West Point.

The announcement has been confirmed by Kealey Dorian, Media Relations Specialist for Love’s

“Love’s plans to build a travel stop in West Point at Interstate 85, Exit 2,” she said in an email statement. “We hope to start construction this winter and be open by fall 2019. The location will feature a travel stop, Love’s Truck Tire Care Center and Hardee’s restaurant. We’re excited to move forward with this process and eventually become part of the West Point community.”

While the decision for Love’s to come to West Point has not been finalized, this business would not only have a fuel center, but a full service tire center and a Hardee’s restaurant, making it one of the few chain businesses in the city.

The project is currently in its infancy, but all parties involved seem to be working together to bring it to fruition.

This news is excellent for the area. Love’s is a nationally known brand and many travelers actively look for Love’s when driving.

If West Point gets a major travel stop, it will lead to increased revenue for the city and could lead to better advertising opportunities for the entire Greater Valley Area. More advertising should lead to more people stopping to see what we have to offer.

The city council and community development group of West Point should be commended on the work they’ve done. Since the introduction of Kia Motors and Point University nearly a decade ago, West Point has been a city on the rise and Love’s should do much to improve the area.