ARCOLA – A planned resort of more than 60 acres will cement Arcola's position as a tourist destination, developers say.

Two Indianapolis developers told the Arcola Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday that they plan to break ground on a 63.5-acre resort, hotel and conference center in Arcola within the next 40 to 60 days.

John E. Bator, a partner with BatPage Consulting in Indianapolis, said the proposed eco-friendly Green Mill Village will make Arcola's position strong as a tourist destination, especially families from the Chicago, Indianapolis and St. Louis areas.

"This is going to be a destination, not just a rest stop on Interstate 57," said Bator, who will serve as president of the resort.

Bator's partner, BatPage Project Engineering Manager Charlie Page, said Green Mill Village is expected to be open by the fall of 2009 and could eventually employ about 200 people.

"We want to provide lots of solid jobs for Arcola's young people," Page said.

Page said construction crews will largely come from the Arcola, Tuscola, Champaign, Sullivan and Mattoon areas.

"I can't wait to put my boots on and get them muddy building this project," Page said. "We will make a project everybody around here will want to be a part of."

The resort will include a 125-room hotel, conference center, a spa and wellness center, retail shops, a gas station, convenience store and an upscale chain restaurant, all surrounding a pond.

Page said the entire project will be eco-friendly, with faucets and toilets all using less water than typically found in most resorts. The developers plan to use lots of recycled materials as part of the construction.

Specially designed incandescent lampposts will allow visitors to enjoy the starry night skies over Arcola, Page said.

"This is not a Holiday Inn Express; it will be closer to a four-star experience," said marketing manager Bob McElwee.

Patrons will be able to purchase candy made by Flesor's Candy Kitchen in Tuscola and organic meats and vegetables grown locally.

All the furniture will be 1940s style and will be locally made in Arthur, Arcola or Tuscola, McElwee said.

The resort, which will be built at the southeast corner of Illinois 133 and Egyptian Trail, will also include an education center, where visitors will be able to learn about the area's Amish heritage, view programs on Amish living and even take Amish cooking classes, Bator said.

Other elements will include a swimming pool, tennis court, bakery and children's park.

The resort is a partnership between the city of Arcola, which is providing land, and BatPage, which Bator said is spending between $30 and $40 million on the project.

"It's a highly visible area, with a lot of traffic there," said Arcola City Administrator Bill Wagoner. "We want to be a tourist destination."

"This is a unique destination," Bator said. "Arcola has community leaders and citizens who have the foresight with an eye toward the future."

Bator and Page spoke to the chamber at its annual meeting at the Kaskaskia Country Club.