Heather Regan White / The American Press

VINTON — Public officials, investors and community leaders gathered in the lobby of the Cobblestone Inn and Suites, at 2002 Corporate Drive, on Wednesday to cut the ribbon on Vinton’s first hotel.

Investor and 1956 Vinton High graduate Boyd Parker, who spearheaded the push to bring Cobblestone to the town, hosted the ceremony. 

He introduced Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser, who attributed the state’s recent “record year in tourism” to the people of Louisiana.

“It’s because of you,” he said. “It’s the way we treat people. When visitors get treated like family, it’s easy to sell Louisiana.”

“This isn’t about a hotel,” said Cobblestone Hotels President and CEO Brian Wogernese.

“This was a passion for Boyd (Parker). This was Boyd’s giving back to the community. This facility will keep people in the community, spending money here, and that means more to us than just putting a hotel up in any community.”

Mayor Kenneth Stinson said, “We’re looking very forward to seeing a lot of people come here, stay here, eat here, and pay tax dollars here.”

Cobblestone is based in Neenah, Wis. The Vinton hotel has 44 rooms and offers a complimentary breakfast buffet, a 24-hour convenience store, a fitness center, guest laundry, a beer and wine bar, and high-speed wireless internet access.

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser was on hand Wednesday for the ribbon cutting of the Cobblestone Inn and Suites at 2002 Corporate Drive.

Heather Regan White