MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WSMV) – Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) is finalizing negotiations to build a campus hotel to serve the school’s hospitality students.

According to MTSU, the university currently has the only accredited tourism and hospitality management program in the state.

The new hotel will be located at the intersection of Greenland Drive and Middle Tennessee Blvd.

“We were just overwhelmed by the response, the overwhelmingly positive response. I think people realized how important this is and what a program like this really brings to the community,” said MTSU President Dr. Sidney A. McPhee.

The hotel can be used by student families, sports teams and other visitors. McPhee said during large events, local hotels are often booked and MTSU visitors must stay outside of Rutherford County.

According to McPhee, it also offers students the opportunity to start a career in the hospitality industry.

“They get the opportunity to gain hands-on, experimental experience in the company,” McPhee said.

Estimated costs, size and other details of the hotel are currently being finalized, but MTSU officials hope to begin construction next year and have the hotel open in 2026.

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