New Mattoon businesses prepare to open

MATTOON, Ill. (WAND)- After a large construction project, the Mattoon Sports Complex will open soon. But it's not the only new building to open in Mattoon next month.

Several new restaurants, businesses, and hotels have moved into the area to prep for an influx in guests.

"It's just fantastic that we are expecting over 500,000 additional visitors per year with the sports complex and all the auxiliary businesses that are coming," said Ed Dowd, the Executive Director of the Mattoon Chamber of Commerce. " The great thing too is we are right off of 57 so all the 28,000 cars that travel down 57 on a daily basis are going to see Mattoon is a happening place."

In the last year, Dowd says nearly a dozen business locations have been built. This includes Chic-fil-a, Chipotle, Michaels, Five Below, and Famous Footwear.

Each of these locations are within walking distance of the sports complex, so families visiting for competitions can easily access them.

Dowd says he has already seen new families move into the area for jobs in these new businesses. He thinks within a few years, Mattoon could see more big-name stores, and widespread development.

"I do truly believe that this is only going to be the start that because of the sports complex, because of all the things that are coming, all the different businesses here, we are going to continue to grow, and people are going to continue to gravitate toward our community," said Dowd.