A Georgia company has been selected as the general contractor charged with building the $22-million Suffolk Hilton Garden Inn and Conference Center in downtown Suffolk.

Developer Stormont Hospitality Group on Friday selected the Winter Construction Co., an Atlanta-based construction management and general contracting firm specializing in commercial, institutional and industrial construction, to lead the project.

A specific ground-breaking date hasn’t been set but construction will begin this spring, said Elizabeth McCoury, downtown development coordinator.

The 150-room hotel and conference center being built on Constant’s Wharf is slated to open in spring of 2004.

According to Stormont’s press release, Winter Construction is a privately owned and operated by hands-on owner-managers who are actively involved in day-to-day company operations.

Recent hospitality projects include the Marriott Courtyard in Chattanooga, the Wyndham Union Station in Nashville and a $10 million renovation of the Westin Peachtree Plaza in Atlanta.