Loan Could Benefit Rush Creek

Tuolumne County, CA — Tuolumne County is requesting three million dollars in state community development block grant loan money on behalf of the proposed Rush Creek Lodge project

A component of the Community Development Department Block Grant program is to offer business loans to projects that would result in job creation. The Rush Creek Lodge will be a resort development on Highway 120 near the Hardin Flat entrance to Yosemite National Park. The first phase of the project calls for 116 rooms, with plans to eventually expand to 143. It will also include a two-story lodge building and hillside villas.

Rush Creek Lodge completed the CEQA process, and was approved by the county, back in 2004.

If approved by the state, the loan would be paid off by the developers over 20 years, with 3 percent interest. The total cost of the project is estimated to be $28 million.

The County Supervisors voted unanimously yesterday to submit the grant application. The developers are First Light Hospitality, LLC. The company also operates the Evergreen Lodge.