Delaware Set to Open Commercialized Rest Area
from NATSO News Weekly

Delaware Gov. Jack Markell and Senator Tom Carper this week unveiled a 42,000-square-foot commercialized rest area set to open June 28 under a 35-year contract with HMSHost Corp. The move threatens sales at nearby truckstops and travel plazas where year-over-year sales soared while the rest area was closed for construction.

Gov. Markell cited the Welcome and Travel Center, located between exits 1 and 3, on Interstate 95, as a "great example of how the private and public sectors can work together to achieve common economic goals." About 250 HMS employees will staff the travel plaza, which HMS claims will serve 4.5 million visitors annually.

In an interview today with The Washington Post, NATSO President and CEO Lisa Mullings said Delaware's decision to partner with HMSHost will have a devastating impact on local area businesses. "Our members are bracing to see what happens," Mullings said. "Four and a half million visitors is 10 times what many of our members would see in terms of visitors. This is government and big business teaming up to squeeze out the little guy."

Mullings said a quick survey of NATSO members located near the Delaware travel center showed significant sales increases when the Delaware rest area closed in September 2009. Furthermore, data showed they often pay more in local taxes than the HMSHost would pay to maintain the rest area.