Stratford Breaks Ground on New Cobblestone Hotel ~ Project Seen as Major Economic Development Milestone for Sherman County

With rural U.S. Highway 287 as the backdrop, Stratford and Sherman County leaders gathered Tuesday to celebrate the groundbreaking of a new Cobblestone Hotel, marking what local officials describe as a significant economic development success for the rural community. 

The hotel will be constructed on the north edge of town near Star RV Park and is expected to provide new lodging options for travelers, business visitors, and community events. 
Speakers at the ceremony emphasized that the project represents years of collaboration among economic development leaders, city and county officials, local partners, and outside investors. 

"This project required perseverance, trust, and a shared vision for Stratford's future," officials said during the ceremony, noting that the development faced numerous challenges before coming together. 

According to Kathy Allen of the Sherman County Development Corporation (SCDC), the project took two years, ten months, and five days to reach the groundbreaking stage. 
Allen said targeted incentives helped attract investor interest and ultimately bring the project to Sherman County. 

Tommy Bogart, city manager for the City of Stratford, explained that the hotel will receive a five-year property tax rebate from the city, an incentive he described as a mutually beneficial arrangement. 

"The agreement allows the city to support the development while still bringing new economic activity and long-term tax value to the community," Bogart said. 

The ceremony also recognized both local and outside partners who helped make the project possible. 

Outside investors include Frontier Bank and Cobblestone investors from five states, while local partners include Jack and Barbara Hale, who provided the land for the project, Bailey and Corey Naugle, and the Wesley Miller family. 

During remarks at the ceremony, Miller spoke about the importance of rural communities embracing growth opportunities. 

"An abatement is a tool that must be used by rural communities in order to attract businesses," Miller said. "Otherwise, those businesses will simply go somewhere else." 

Miller noted that while the city and the SCDC are offering abatements, other taxing entities in the county will receive 100 percent of the property's taxable value, while the city and SCDC will also benefit from two percent local sales tax revenue generated by the hotel. 

Following the remarks, city and county officials participated in a ceremonial groundbreaking, throwing dirt with shovels to mark the beginning of construction. 

According to the company, the Cobblestone Hotel will be a three-story facility with 54 guest rooms and will include an indoor swimming pool, conference and meeting space, a bar and lounge area, a modern lobby, and additional guest amenities. 

Local leaders say the project represents a meaningful step toward strengthening Stratford's economy and expanding services for visitors traveling through Sherman County.