PETOSKEY, MI -- A multi-million dollar project in Petoskey will mean new tourism dollars to the area.  An expanded marina will attract more vacationers and will create jobs.

In about a month, boats will slip in.

Compared to the older slips built in the 60's, the new dock sticks out and Petoskey businesses think it will pan out.

"It would be six to eight full-time jobs, because we're going to be open from 7 to 11 or 12 Friday and Saturday nights," said Clayton Brown, owner of Johan’s Pastry Shop in Petoskey.

Brown says cinnamon rolls are a famous specialty and by the end of the month, you'll be able to pick one up at his new shop by the bay, where the concession stand will turn convenience stand.

"We’re going to work it seven days a week for the locals and vacationers," said Brown.

"We’re competing with other communities for visitor dollars, so it's important to keep pace with that," said Al Hansen, the Petoskey Parks and Recreation Director.

Part of the reason the pastry shop will be waterside coincides with a project that is nearing completion.  A $2.1 million dollar marina upgrade should be complete by next month.  44 boat slips have been added -- making it possible for 144 boats to be in the marina on a given night.  77 have been rented for the summer and the other 77 will be open to summer tourism.

"The boaters that come here are generally long-term, they'll come here for seven to 14 days when they arrive, so we're considered a destination site," said Hansen.

And being a tourist town, being considered a destination site is a good thing.  Al Hansen broke it down.

For each boat, there is an average of 2.5 people on board.  A boat typically stays for seven days.  With food, fuel, and slip purchases, a boatload means about one-thousand dollars to the local economy. 

So doing simple math, the 44 additional slips could mean $44,000 additional floating around the community in a week’s time.  Good news for business owners?  You bet.

"The more we can promote and have options for them to do, the better it is for all businesses in town," said Meredith Brown of Kilwin’s Chocolate.