Dollywood officials have just announced yet another expansion to Dolly Parton’s Pigeon Forge empire.
As many are aware, area staffing shortages plague Sevier County.
And the problem has only worsened in recent months as area attractions and restaurants struggle to find and retain employees.
“Help wanted” signs have become a common sight throughout the county.
This is due, in large part, to a lack of affordable housing in the area.
But Dollywood’s latest project aims to help solve that problem with a $20 million expansion in the form of affordable housing.
Dolly, it would seem, is here to save the day once again.
The residence hall-style 136,000 square foot, four-story building will be able to accommodate more than 750 seasonal area employees.
The building will be located on Dollywood grounds.
Read Also: Dolly Parton accomplishments: 6 amazing things she has done
Dollywood’s partnership with Holtz Builders
“We partnered with Holtz Builders because they have proven successful at helping similar destinations create housing options to support the needs of their growing communities,” said Tim Berry, Dollywood Vice President of Human Resources.
“The Smoky Mountains region has proven to be one of the most popular vacation destinations in the country. And with the growth of businesses and attractions in the area, we need more employees ready to support all of those jobs. Employee housing is a crucial piece of the employment equation in this area.”
Holtz Builders is a Wisconsin-based company. They have earned a reputation for creating similar structures in resort towns throughout the nation.
Holtz will construct, maintain and manage the new property. Dollywood provided the land.
“We strive to provide safe and affordable housing for seasonal guests that come from around the world and from the U.S.,” said Dan Bullock, President of the Holtz Companies.
“We hope we can have a positive impact on the overall experience they have here in this beautiful community in the Smoky Mountains.”
Included amenities for Dollywood’s new residence hall
Standard rooms will accommodate four residents with four beds. Amenities include individual lockers, a private bathroom, a large fridge and a desk.
ADA-accessible rooms will have space for two individuals. These rooms will contain the same amenities as the standard rooms.
Additionally, a common kitchen, gathering space and laundry facilities will be included.
And of course, Wi-Fi will be available throughout the building.
The ground floor of the building will provide additional office space and other facilities designed to support seasonal staffers.
Who is eligible to receive temporary housing at Dollywood?
The following seasonal workers may be eligible to live in Dollywood’s new residence hall:
- Students working at Dollywood through the U.S. Summer Work Travel program.
- Students working at Dollywood through U.S. college campus organizations like Campus Outreach, Navigators and Young Life.
- College interns working on specific assignments at Dollywood for educational credits.
- Employees of other area businesses in similar programs through organizations like Sevier County’s Southern Hospitality Internship.
Is it just for Dollywood employees?
As stated above, employees of other area businesses may also be eligible.
When will Dollywood’s new residence hall open?
The majority of the project is scheduled for completion in May 2022.
The ground floor will be unfinished when residents move in. But it will be completed soon after.
Other Dollywood projects coming soon
Last June, The Dollywood Company announced a $500 million investment strategy.
The investment is said to take place over the course of the next decade.
Slated projects include four new resorts, a campground and a new “record-breaking” attraction for the park.
The first project in the line-up will be a 302-room resort named HeartSong.
HeartSong will be located across from Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa in Pigeon Forge. The resort is set to open in 2023.
Read More: When will HeartSong open? A look at Dollywood’s newest resort
What do you think about Dollywood’s latest project? Do you think it will improve our staffing shortages problem? Will it attract more seasonal workers? Let us know what you think in the comments below. We are excited to hear from you.
Great every thing is about helping people, and for families to have fun
Dolly your a one of a kind, much loved by all your fans around the world…
❤️🦋😘
Wish they were more affordable for the middle class people me and my husband come to pigon forge every year we love it there . Have so much fun.. we would of love to stay in the new resort but could not afford to..
I think this WONDERFUL! Dollywood has been such a blessing to our state!!
I’m in how do I apply?
Omy I love this. Can’t wait for all the new things. Prayers for all the workers and staffing. And God bless you Dolly Parton. O and love the campground idea.
AWESOME plan!!!!!!
Leave rooms open for those that are not in the temporary seasonal help or the work programs. Some that do live local that has to travel long distance to get work and work longer hours may need a room for an overnight stay Even if the weather condition is bad during their shift. Wow DW tops it off again ❤ Sweet Dolly
I think that’s Awesome but we don’t have the infrastructure that we need to handle all the traffic that keeps coming in .Hopefully Pigeon Forge officials will push harder to get roads like Jake Thomas Rd addition done quicker 👍
Fabulous!!! I’d love to come and work for Dolly!
I think the new employee housing should look and feel like a log mountain home feel or something that matches the other buildings in the park. The building they have designed does not look right in the smokies!!!
Love it always helping
Foreign exchange correct not for local employee s
If this is for seasonal workers, mostly students, what are they going to do when schools start back and seasonal workers go back to school. October, November and December. Would be better to offer it to others, not just to students.
Well I have always wanted to come to Dollywood.But the prices are so high.I am a senior now and still can’t.I just wish things didn’t cost so much.
Build a housing project where locals can live reasonably and then maybe locals will work there. Many people have no transportation and can’t afford the very limited housing in the area. Help local young people instead of imports.
Love it!
I think this is an awesome idea. Dolly is always thinking of ways to help people. Creating housing for folks in the area, enabling students to receive credits for working, not only at Dollywood, but other establishments…wow! Thank you, Dolly, for all you do.❤
I think it is a wonderful idea. It is hard to find a company and employeer who actually cares about their employees and dont think of you as replaceable all the time. I have never found a company where I feel at home. Sounds like I need to work for Dollywood lol. Great job as always.
I would love to work for you. I have 3 small puppies. It’s hard to find places to live I live in Franklin NC. I have bad knees. I haven’t work since March 2020.
Sounds great ‼️I’m sure there will be some Kinks to work out. May it be a success ‼️
I have always admired Dolly. I too, as a senior, wish it was more affordable to travel there. It’s just amazing what she is doing. I do wonder though where she was at the ground breaking?
Should allow for a percentage of actual locals to live here, there is a terrible housing shortage in this area. Gatlinburg does this same thing, 3 different housing developments for student and foreign students but nothing for locals.
couldnt agree more Tory! this is a great idea but we need help for locals who are sticking it out all year long not jst for the summer help working at dw.
Great idea. This is definitely needed. Great concept to attract seasonal workers.
Wish the exterior had more of a country look. This looks like Colorado.
I’d love to work at Dollywood for the season but live in New York State and am not a student. Is there any employee accommodations that I would qualify for?
Hi Sue! I know Dollywood does help offer college assistance to employees which could potentially make you a student. There may be some options for you – I’d love to help more but you should talk to a Dollywood representative for specifics. Hope that helps!
It would be great if there was Housing for Seasonal Senior Employees. Seniors are Great Workers, very dedicated and love to work, it’s in their bones.
I was able to get a job at Dollywood, but I had to decline the job due to the fact I could not find a 3 month rental that was affordable due to the housing issue that is going on; just an FYI, I am one of those Dedicated, Good Workers.
I know that in Colorado, Montana and Wyoming the Senior Seasonal Employees have availability for reasonable housing rates through their employment with the entity they will be working for. It is similar to the facilities that you have for college interns and foreign exchange students.
It would be great if you would consider this also for Seasonal Senior Employees.