A new beacon has appeared along US Highway 281 at the north edge of town. Crews worked Friday to raise the new sign for Blanco Luxury Suites.

Linda Sullivan, sales and marketing director for the hotel, says she thinks the sign is very tasteful and professional, and in no form or fashion threatens the beauty and charm of Blanco. In fact, she says it will be very good for the community.

“The very first night the sign was lit up,” she reported, “we actually had a couple stop in and make reservations with us and told us they would not have known about us if they had not seen the sign,” which confirmed to the hotel staff, along with owner Bharat Patel, that the sign was needed and would be good for the community with the tourism better visibility would bring.

“Our hotel can only enhance and empower the city of Blanco by bringing in outside business,” she pointed out, “and it is proven that, when people stay overnight, they fuel their cars, eat at restaurants, shop at both retail and convenience stores, all which is positive for our community.”

“This indeed will be a good opportunity to thank all the friends of the hotel that have recognized the hotel as a positive force and an anchor to the economic development of Blanco,” said Bharat Patel. “We need to thank each council member for taking the time to individually come and see our signage visibility issues prior to casting their vote.”

Patel added, “I cast my positive vote for Blanco’s future by building a hotel, in these uncertain economic times, that Blanco can be proud of.”

The hotel is financed locally by Security State Bank and at least a million dollars were spent locally during the construction, according to Patel.

The new sign, which consists of “Best Western Plus” with “Blanco Luxury Inn & Suites” below that, is 3.5 feet shorter than the 20 feet approved by the variance. The approval of the sign variance started a controversy involving the Blanco City Council and how variances are granted.

For Blanco Luxury Suites, the variance has brought more business to them, and should in turn, bring more money for the rest of Blanco.