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Minutes of the Chamber of Commerce Tourism CommitteeApril 15, 2008 The meeting was called to order by Chair Stan Moore at 9 a.m. Committee members present: Angie Wells, Bill Riggins, Stan Moore, Arline Borchers, Rose Anne Huck, Ken Yowell, Cynthia Crawford, Roy Hunter, Mar-Saline Economic Development. Guests: Tuesday Russell, Vista from Boonville; John Whiteman, Scenic Byways consultant; Carolyn Brackett, National Trust for Historic Preservation Rose Anne moved and it was seconded to approve the March minutes. Passed. Stan turned the meeting over to John Whiteman and Carolyn Brackett to discuss Scenic Byways potential. Credit was given to Lafayette County in getting this effort started from Napoleon to Lexington at the state level. There is a group working to designate Lexington to Waverly as a byway, as well. At the national level, Don Borgman has been working on a national scenic byways corridor. Senator Stouffer suggested the byway run from Independence to Boonville. Can the byway mesh with a regional cuisines project? That is the vision. The project is “The America’s Byways Program.” The national scenic byways program was developed in 1991 for rural economic development, sensitive to rural culture and authentic rural experiences. Byways.org is the promotional website. There are 127 roads in the national program. They must have state designation first. $30 million at the national level for grants yearly. Funds can be for marketing materials, improvements (i.e. pull off the highway), rehab a historic building. Once approved, $25,000 per year is available for 5 years for staffing. To achieve national designation, a corridor plan is required to articulate why it stands out and tells a piece of America’s story. It also becomes a blue print for what needs to be done – strategic plan for development. Late summer/early fall of 08 is the next deadline for application. They only accept applications once every three or four years. To be ready, the additional 60 miles needs to have a state designation. Most immediately an inventory needs to be completed – lodging, nature trails, visitor’s centers… This time can be used as a match for the grant that Lafayette has. John feels like the state is positive. Tuesday Russell pointed out much data has been collected for the Regional Cuisines work. She can provide access to the data. Stan raised the question of what level of support is needed from Marshall City Government and County Government? The state and national designations say there can be no further off-premise roadside advertising. Letters of support are needed from the city and county. Roy Hunter pointed out the Saline County Study provides foundational work. http://www.cpac.missouri.edu/county_pages/salineroot/documents.html Funding is always an 80/20 match. Match can be in-kind. Carolyn asked the committee what they have accomplished and where the committee sees itself going. This committee is in to its third grant year. The motel tax funding precipitated this committee coming together. The tax is generating $80,000/year. This committee tends to receive the majority of the bed tax funds - $60,000 this past year. This committee has 13 affiliates in 2007/2008. The goal is to increase overnight stays in Marshall. Advertising is beyond a 50 mile radius. One of our biggest limiting factors today is lack of business-type motel rooms. Occupancy rates of business-type motels is 85 – 95%. This committee promotes a package including all of the affiliate activities. World-class convention center – Martin Community Center has recently opened. “Smart Dog, Nice Folks” Our affiliates target market their events. Currently the Visitor’s Center is at the Chamber of Commerce. There is significant historical interest – Santa Fe Trail, Civil War Battle here, historic cemetery structures, Pennytown African-American community, Lewis and Clark route, Nicholas/Beasley aviation museum from late 1920’s and 1930’s. The historical society is moving to a facility on the square. The Pahlo Art Center is in a 1922 former hospital. They are putting in a children’s art center. The barns and quilts project will bring interest, as well. It is a Saline, Howard and Cooper County project. Marketing has focused on getting quality printed pieces and a quality websites in place. This committee sponsors ads in Missouri Life magazine, as well. 3 - 3- sleep. Eat three meals, do three activities and sleep. Much can be done with agri-tourism in this part of the state. This group is the destination marketing organization for Missouri. Our first grant is in announced Stan. The byway will need to identify points along the route where information can be distributed. Very important they are open 7 days a week. Over half of travel is on the weekend. Next steps: Vista programs inventory Hang on to maps John provided List of local leaders that will collect info Who else in the county needs to be interviewed Review information from Saline County Study Digital photos of tourism resources needed Community meeting will be needed in Saline County - May Letters of support May workshop set for May 13, 5-7 p.m. at the Martin Civic Center. Information about the byways and regional cuisines work, county and city government participation is key. Explain the byway. Think about itineraries, too. The project is “The America’s Byways Program.” Meeting adjourned at 10:30 a.m.
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