Minutes 10/23/1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1997 the already large numbers oftourism visitors to the community, such as fishermen, who visit our area from throughout the country. Councilmember TeaRue then asked again if the City and County would only be asked for operating funds for a tourism office, as described by Mr. Aydlett, to which Mr. Aydlett replied that the Chamber would not ask for construction funds, and that they would provide the building, office space, and maintenance of the facility. Mr. Aydlett then went on to suggest the need for a board or other such group to develop a plan for the establishment of the tourism operation, along with an organizational structure and a budget, and stated that it may be possible to accomplish this with volunteers. County Supervisor Mike Siedle then asked how much the Chamber currently spends on Tourism efforts. Mr. Aydlett stated that it was a small amount limited to assistance in special local efforts such as cooperation on brochures, and also stated that they place and mail a great number of brochures. Supervisor H.G. Vaughn further emphasized that the Chamber has not had the budget for an aggressive advertising effort, and that this is one reason why a group tourism effort is needed. He also agreed with Vice-Mayor Crabtree that the community does not do enough to capitalize on tourism. Supervisor Burnerie commented that she had recently picked up a brochure about Virginia Route 220, while outside Virginia, and noted that Martinsville and Henry County were not shown on the map. Mr. Aydlett agreed, noting that he had seen the brochure, and that the community would have needed only one local business to have bought an advertisement in it to have had a mention for the community. Vice-Mayor Crabtree cited the recent Center State 29 brochure as a good example of the communlty's involvement in such brochures. Dr. Crabtree also noted that the City has considered the placement of a sign to advertise Martinsville and Henry County in the Greensboro airport. Mr. Aydlett stated that the Chamber had once accomplished this, but it was later taken down due to action on the part of the state of North Carolina. Dr. Crabtree noted that we might have a better working relationship now. The Mayor then thanked Mr. Aydlett for helping the Board and Council recognize an important opportunity, and stated that the community needed to begin to work out how to bring these improvements about.