You’re Paying For 40,000 Hotel Nights a Year in Southbridge

November 14, 2008 by Administrator

In 2001, the US Department of Defense agreed to use 40,000 hours of hotel room nights each year at the Southbridge Hotel and Conference center.

The lease lasts for twenty years, leaving thirteen more to go. The problem is half the rooms under lease aren’t being used. But we’re still paying for the unused space.

According to the Worcester Telegram & Gazette,

Reduced travel and training budgets and severe winter weather are among challenges the Defense Department cites for use of the facility, Mr. Isleib said.

The T&G also notes that the lease started at around $10-million per year with a 3.5% increase in rent every year of the lease. By the end, it will be costing taxpayers $290-million.

Still, there is hope that the Department of Defense will start using the facility more in the coming years starting now.

This year more than 100 units from various agencies within the Defense Department held training and conferences there. The participants include active, civilian and reserve components of the U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force, as well as Defense Department agencies, said Mr. Isleib.