NITRO -- With the turning of the dirt Tri-State Racetrack officially begins the process of building a hotel at their facility. Since it has to be finished in a year, putting a pricetag on the project is difficult.

"Since we have owned this facility, we invested $65 million into this facility in 20 years. That investment has come from our pocket. There's no budget on this project. Whatever it takes it takes," said Dan Adkins, Vice-President of Hartman & Tyner, Inc., the company that owns the track.

The hotel will be 150 rooms complete with a conference center, room and concierge service along with a pool and jacuzzi, and built with a Mardi Gras-French Quarter theme in mind.

"Really kind of meant to be a fun place. Obviously not a conservative destination area where you are going to come and let your hair down a little bit and have some fun," said Jody Driggs, architect of the hotel.

"I'm excited. I can't wait to get the hotel up. I mean I think it's going to bring a lot of people here," said Terry Van Lehn of Cross Lanes.

That's expected to give the area an economic shot in the arm.

"I believe Putnam County restaurants are going to see a benefit, hotels and hopefully we'll see the need for additional hotels and restaurants in Putnam County," said Gary Tillis, President of the Putnam County Commission.

The groundbreaking comes two years after Kanawha County voters approved table games for the track. Adkins says if construction had started first, the company could not have had their initial job creation at the track following the table games vote. The hotel is set to be finished by August of 2010.

Adkins is confident the hotel can be completed by August of 2010. If not, Tri-state faces a $2.5 million penalty annually until the hotel opens.