West Virginia’s Loss at Greenbrier is Virginia’s Gain at The Homestead

The Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers has shifted two conferences with 800 people to The Homestead, a Hot Springs, Virginia, mountain resort, from The Greenbrier, the White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, resort about 40 miles away.

Sales for Bath County’s accommodation category, which includes The Homestead, rose more than 35 percent during the first quarter, according the Virginia Department of Taxation. The Homestead’s sales generally make up more than half of the county’s total, said the Bath County Chamber of Commerce.

There’s not only demand for lodging at The Homestead, where room rates begin at $225 but also at surrounding businesses.

Banquets and events are way up at the upscale Sam Snead’s Tavern across from The Homestead. “We have seen a significant increase during our slow business times because of The Greenbrier’s issues,” Brandon Entsminger, manager at the tavern said.

In West Virginia, The Greenbrier resort is a primary economic engine for Greenbrier County, providing 1,600 jobs during the peak season and supplying $600,000 to $700,000 in tax revenue. But the county expects April revenue to be down as a result of the labor unrest.

Duane Zobrist owns an outfitter and a limousine service, which depend on guests from The Greenbrier. His sales are down 70 percent because of the resort’s labor dispute. “This loss of business has been more impactful on us than 9/11,” said Zobrist, who has had to cut back hours or deny seasonal work to 40 to 50 of his employees.

John Gillespie, president of a flower and event company in White Sulphur Springs, has been following groups from The Greenbrier to The Homestead. Gillespie said his business did the majority of its work at The Homestead this month.