Port Huron's Thomas Edison Inn Gets $7.5M In Aid

PORT HURON (AP) - Plans to renovate Port Huron's iconic waterfront Thomas Edison Inn as part of the creation of a convention center in the Lake Huron shoreline community have received a $7.5 million boost from the federal government.

Michigan U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow said Thursday that JB Real Estate Development LLC has tentative approval for a loan guarantee to buy and renovate the 149-room hotel.

The guarantee comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan program.

The hotel is to undergo extensive renovation to become a Hilton Garden Inn. A Twisted Rooster restaurant will have ties to Baker College's new culinary arts program.

The work is part of a $30 million project. The hotel is to be connected to the new Blue Water Area Convention Center.

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