Area hotel owners are expecting to reap the benefits of the more than 5,000 out-of-town visitors expected for the 2009 Dixie Youth World Series that opens today.

Hotels are filled to capacity throughout the tournament that ends Thursday, with several families having to stay in Hattiesburg. The Jones County Junior College campus in Ellisville is also swarming.

Ed Smith, JCJC Vice President of Student Affairs, said the school welcomed the players and their families with open arms.

“Laurel officials contacted Jones County Junior College two years ago when they were preparing to bid on the World Series,” Smith said. “Being able to house the athletes in our dorms was an essential part of the proposal, and we were excited to help make this event possible. This is going to do so much for our community, and we are looking forward to welcoming the teams and doing our best to help make this a great week that they will remember for a lifetime.”

While most players are staying on campus, that hasn’t alleviated the crowds flocking to Laurel hotels.

Jennifer Windham, front desk manager for Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, 2006 Jefferson St., said rooms have been sold out “for months” due to the Dixie Youth World Series. “It has really increased our sales for this month,” she said. “From now until the 14th, we’re sold out. Holiday Inn is hosting all of the officials, commissioners and directors.” The hotel is owned by Satish Amin. Amin’s business partner, Amit Patel, is the owner of Buffalo Wild Wings, which is also celebrating its grand opening this weekend. Buffalo Wild Wings will host a private function tonight with the official opening Sunday. Rodeway Inn, 1608 Jefferson St., and Comfort Suites, 1820 Jefferson St., also owned by Amin, noted fully booked rooms.

“It’s going to be a crazy weekend,” Windham said. “But, I’m excited about all of this.”

Willie Ouida, a manager at Econo Lodge, 305 16th Ave. N., said her staff is also staying busy. “We’re keeping things ready for our visitors,” she said. “It’s good to see people in town like that spending money.”

Jeanine Howell, co-owner of Canterbury Suites, 830 West 5th St., said her small, weekly-rate hotel was already fully booked prior to the event, but she’s seen the large amount of visitors in town.

“I feel like most of the hotels in Laurel are pretty booked up,” she said. “Laurel already had a large amount of people in town working on the pipeline and various things. A lot of people are probably having to stay in Hattiesburg.”

Donna Williams, director of the Jones Co. Chamber of Commerce, said restaurants are also excited about the economic boost.

“We’ve held a number of seminars with restaurants and business vendors, and we’ve gotten great support,” she said. “Quite a few of them have decided to stay open until midnight during the week. It’s really been a great response, and we’re looking forward to having this group of people in town.”

Today’s DYWS Events

Dixie Youth World Series Events scheduled for today