With just 45 days until Jamboree In The Hills, local businesses are already gearing up for the annual country music festival.

The economy doesn't seem to be curbing interest, and some nearby hotels are already nearly booked.

At the Hampton Inn in St. Clairsville, there are just three rooms left during Jamboree. At the Fairfield Inn down the road, there are 17 rooms left during the week of the event.

"We get a lot of the same people every year. They call in as soon as they can," said Jack Poling, of the Hampton. "It's been pretty steady. I think they have a good lineup this year, and it seem like a lot are interested even though the economy's down."

Security measures are also taking shape, but Belmont County Sheriff Fred Thompson said it's not completely clear if layoffs at the sheriff's department will impact Jamboree.

"It would create problems out there if most of my staff was on layoff," Thompson said. "We're trying to work around that."

As of now, he said things are looking like they will be OK security-wise.

Jamboree starts July 16 through 19. For a lineup and a look back at last year's festival, visit our Jamboree In The Hills section.