b'KOA Constructionfrom page 12 The secret is out that you can make greatreturnswithcampgrounds,saidBaker.The long wait to build his park is paying off. There is no shortage of outside capital look-Despite the pandemics challenges, he said ing for an opportunity. Many traditional real es-local campers are filling the park, and snow- tateopportunitiesgotoverheatedandbirds are also finding a home there if any room investors started to look for the next thing, andis left. Hunsader said hes happy his family was thats RV park campgrounds. Money flows to-able to finance the park with their own funds ward heat, and campgroundsespeciallyand isnt surprised that KOA is seeing an influx KOAsare a hot investment.of interest in new construction from both ex- Althoughbuildingacampgroundfromisting owners and outside investors. scratch is gaining in popularity, both Brown-Camping is extremely popular right now field and Baker said youd better bring a dosebecause nobody wants to fly, he said. We of patience to the process.went to the Tampa RV SuperShowlast week, Itcanreallybeatwo-tofive-yearand it was packed. This is a great time to be in process, said Brownfield. There are stillthis business. many hurdles to get over in permitting, zoningand planning.New Investors with New Funding Baker also advises current campgroundBoth Brownfield and Baker said the camp- owners to keep abreast of what the newground industry is now luring a different sort campgrounds are bringing to the system andof investor than before. While several smaller make plans to keep pace with the new offer-mom and pop campgrounds have either ings created by new people with fresh ideas.been built or are in the planning stages, larger Thementalityshouldbechangeoroutside investors have noticed the hot camp- die, he said. Its like a surfer paddlingground sector and are bringing their financial hard to climb on a wave. Youve got to pad-power to new campground construction. dle like hell, or youll miss the ride. WCMMARKETPLACEWOODALLSCM.com March 2021-29'