One wiregrass city will soon have more to offer its residents and visitors. New business and recreation is coming to Eufaula.

Officials in Eufaula have high hopes for the future of the city. Several new businesses are expected to open in 2009, bringing more retail and job opportunities to the area.

Super Walmart is scheduled to break ground on the southside in November, and to open in the fall of 2009. Other shops and restaurants are expected to open up adjacent to the Big Box retailer.

Tim Milner, the City Planner, says, “We think there will be an increase in our tax base. We know that we have a certain amount of retail leakage, and Walmart opening a superstore here will help with that problem.”

A Hampton Inn will replace a church across the road from the Walmart site. America's Best Value Motel, which has been closed for about a year, is being gutted and renovated. When it is complete, it will open as a Quality Inn and have occupancy for 90 guests.

In addition to new business growth, the city just recently opened phase-one of it's “Rails for Trails” project. The one-mile stretch of bike trail will provide citizens and tourists with more recreational opportunities.

The trail starts just south of the Old Depot and ends at the Old Railroad Tressel. Phase-two will take it across the river for an additional six scenic miles. Officials hope to have that completed by mid-2009.

Ann Sparks, Executive Director of Mainstreet Eufaula Inc. says, “At the beginning of the trail, we'll have a band stage. We'll be able to provide music more often at a central location. We'll have a gazebo, and all types of things. We expect this to be one of our bright spots.”

City officials say new business and recreation will attract more tourists and help keep residents shopping closer to home. Based on past studies, city leaders estimate that a new bike trail could attract 140,000 tourists.