CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A hotel developer was named South Charleston's "2012 Citizen of the Year" during a city council meeting Thursday night.

Leroy Rashid, owner of three hotels in the area, was nominated and given the honor by the Charleston Convention & Visitors Bureau, said South Charleston Mayor Frank Mullens.

Rashid owns Wingate by Wyndham Charleston and Holiday Inn & Suites Charleston West, both in South Charleston, and the Hampton Inn Southridge, in Charleston.

Rashid invested more than $12 million to upgrade his properties earlier this summer, Mullens said.

"Mr. Rashid has made so many contributions to the city and he's put in over $10 million into his hotels. They're amazing," Mullens said.

Mullens congratulated Rashid for upgrading the hotels to attract more clientele and visitors to the city and in training the hotel's staff to promote local businesses and restaurants.