FOLEY, Ala. — Entertainer Tony Orlando flew into Jack Edwards Airport Thursday morning to meet with Blue Collar Destinations partners Bill Killian and Glen Bilbo.

“We’re looking forward to being part of the community,” Orlando said of the entertainment destination that is set to bring 1,500 jobs to Foley.

The entertainer said he looks forward to the spring 2015 opening of the facility.

“I’m 52 years in show business, and this is the most excited I’ve ever been,” Orlando said.

One reason is that he believes Foley is an ideal location, especially being so close to the beach.

“L.A. thinks they got Malibu,” Orlando said. “I’m like, ‘Man, what are you talking about? Those aren’t beaches.’”

Find more in-depth coverage of Orlando’s visit in Tuesday’s edition of The Foley Onlooker.