Despite heavy rain most of the day, the Love’s Travel Stop in Jasper saw plenty of traffic throughout its opening day Thursday.

The new travel stop, located at Interstate 22 on Exit 65, includes a gas station, a tire center, a Subway and a McDonalds. The complex has added around 80 jobs to the local economy.

“We’ve worked with Love’s a lot in the past few months, and we are happy to see them in Jasper,” Mayor Sonny Posey said. “We expect the City of Jasper and Love’s to have a long, happy, fruitful relationship.”

Doug Wagner, general manager of the Jasper Love’s, said Thursday afternoon the first day in operation had been good.

“We’ve had a lot of local people come in and tell us how happy they are that we are open,” he said. “That’s always a good thing. We appreciate all the kind words.”

Wagner said Love’s operates the gas station, tire center and Subway. Between the three, the company has 50 employees in Jasper. Wagner said the McDonald’s location, which is expected to open today, is leased from Love’s and will have 30 employees.

The travel stop includes 80 truck spaces, diesel emission fluid dispensers at the diesel islands, CAT scales and five showers to serve professional truck drivers.

The tire center is open 24 hours per day, seven days per week and is equipped with state-of-the-art tools and equipment. Tom Love, founder and CEO, said Love’s is a 24/7 operation for motorists and professional truck drivers alike.

“At Love’s, we are committed to offering the highest levels of customer service at every location,” Love said in a press release Thursday. “It is very important that we form a lasting partnership with the communities where Love’s operates, and we are honored to be a part of Jasper.”

Wagner said travel center officials are pleased to be one of the first businesses along I-22.

“We are happy to be here to help kick off industry in this area of Jasper,” he said.