CASSVILLE – Two proposed but interconnected projects in the Raystown Lake area could bring hundreds of jobs to the area.

The plans, still in the infancy stages, include building a luxury resort hotel atop Terrace Mountain in Union Township and the construction of a marina in the Hawn’s Bridge section of Raystown Lake in Juniata Township.

Huntingdon County Business and Industry Inc., as the lead development agency for Huntingdon County, hosted a public presentation on the proposed developments for about 150 people Thursday at the Trough Creek Valley Fire Company.

Rod Roberts of Lancer Resources, Austin, Texas, is considering developing 440 acres of Terrace Mountain, which overlooks the northeastern portion of Raystown Lake, for the resort hotel, which could include 200 to 300 rooms.

Roberts purchased the land from Gladfelter Paper Co. in 2011, which owned it prior to the development of Raystown Lake.

The proposal for Terrace Mountain may include a series of buildings consisting of suites, cabins and a lodge. Additional site amenities could include a spa, indoor/outdoor pools, golf course, event venues or hiking/biking/walking trails. It would be a year-round facility.

Roberts also wants to seek a partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to develop land below the proposed resort site for a marina, tentatively titled Hawn’s Bridge Marina.

The proposal for the marina calls for 100 to 150 slips and could include camping and cabin sites, hiking/biking/walking trails and an educational environmental center.

Roberts is excited about the proposed projects.

“It has to be a partnership between us, you and the Army Corps of Engineers. I hope that you see what we are trying to do is a natural fit for this area. You already have an incredible scenic lake, one of the best I have ever seen in the world,” Roberts said. “If we are allowed to do this, it will be built with the environment in mind. It will be a project you will be proud of. It will be an incredible economic boom. This is a long-term opportunity that will be fantastic for the area and be one of the best in the country.”

Daniel Woodroffe of DWG Studios, a landscape architect, said the projects are in the very early stages.

“The project is at a concept visionary point. We are just scratching the surface of where this may be going. The design will consider the land as a sacred asset. If this project gains momentum, it will be a staggering opportunity for us all,” Woodroffe said.

Camilla Hardee of Hardee Partners LLC, an economic consultant, said the project could be a huge economic generator for the area.

“There would be a ripple effect from a project of this type. This project is large scale like the Omni Bedford Springs. The two projects go together so this doesn’t happen without both of them,” Hardee said.

The projects could generate a large number of jobs.

“We think this could create 200 to 300 jobs during the construction phase and 300 to 500 permanent jobs after completion,” Roberts said.

The proposed projects will take time.

The marina project would require an amendment to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan for Lake Raystown.

The design team is meeting with representatives of the Corps and federal legislators to determine the next steps in the process.

“Resort projects of this size take around two years to design, another two years to construct and five to seven years to realize cash flow. It is a long-term project,” said Matthew Price, Huntingdon County Visitors Bureau executive director. “The developer has owned the land for several years. He has a vision and has engaged a fantastic team. They are well versed in what they do.”

Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 946-7467.