The Authority is asking the county to back $18 million of a proposed $32-million bond package. The hotel and conference center would be part of Gateway Village, a large mixed-use project adjacent to Clayton College & State University. A new state archives building opened at the college in 2003. A federal archives building is under construction nearby.

Both projects and the college, along with prospective hotel occupants from the new commercial and retail projects should be able to provide an average occupancy of at least 65%, Authority officials maintain, local area brokers familiar with the hotel project tell GlobeSt.com. The hospitality industry has used a 65% occupancy number as a general barometer for break-even comparisons.

Revenue from the hotel and convention center would be enough to pay back the bonds, the county has been told. However, a lower than 65% occupancy number would mean the county and the City of Morrow would have to provide financial aid on the bonds package, brokers tell GlobeSt.com.