New Beach To Boost Economy

Anita Miracle says the waterfront atmosphere on Dauphin Island was the ideal setting for the Oarhouse Restaurant.
"It's a peaceful island, I think that's the biggest draw of all,"Said Miracle. Business on the island relies on folks who are looking to get away, without having to deal with crowds."This was a nice drive out, not very much traffic and the beach is nice and soft and pretty,"Said one beachgoer.
With a special ribbon cutting ceremony island leaders hope a new stretch of beach will stimulate their economy. "This is a way that we can help attract to the island that will hopefully spill off and help support our local businesses and help generate some additional tax revenues,"Said Mayor Jeff Collier. But if you come out to the beach be prepared to shell out twenty dollars for parking. While officials say that money will help pay for lifeguards, some don't mind having to dig deeper in their pockets. "Families should feel safer with that and I think it's probably a good idea in the long run, we need to be more conscious of safety as a community as well as individuals,"Said Valerie Andrews.
Officials say it took just under two million dollars to develop the new beach.Town leaders will host a sand sculpture workshop and contest to kickoff tomorrow's opening. Festivities begin at 10am.