Le Mars Daily Sentinel: Local News: Hotel/Motel project funding is approved (02/19/09)

Hotel/Motel Tax funding of $40,000 for a total of 11 local projects and events received formal approval Tuesday from the Le Mars City Council.

The council allocated an additional $60,000 from those tax revenue dollars to the operation of the Le Mars Convention and Visitor Bureau.

That bureau is being billed as a "one-stop-shop" for tourism, lodging, recreation and convention information.

Organizations receiving portions from the $40,000 include:

* the Plymouth County Cyclists R.A.C.K.S ($2,975),

* Le Mars Chamber of Commerce ($9,775),

* Main Street Program ($4,000),

* Plymouth County 4-H and Agriculture Society ($4,000),

* Plymouth County Museum ($2,800),

* Town and Country Toy Club ($450),

* Gehlen Catholic Schools ($5,000),

* City of Le Mars ($5,000)

* and National Traditional Country Music Association ($6,000).

The Hotel/Motel Tax Advisory Board makes the recommendations on applications for Hotel/Motel Sales Tax revenue.

Earlier, Angie Watson, chair of the advisory board, told the council the new Convention and Visitors Bureau's community marketing initiative could begin July 1.

The proposed bureau would collaborate the efforts of many groups around Le Mars promoting economic development in the form of tourism

Can someone please explain to me why Gehlen Catholic Schools needs $5000 in the effort to promote economic development in the form of tourism? The National Traditional Country Music Association getting $6,000, for the promotion of old timey country music, that I can maybe buy.

I am a big fan of O' brother where art thou, but it looks like some on the city counsel are trying to pull a fast one like old Jerry Lundergard with the true coat, and you know what they say about that true coat.

-- Posted by longraodahead on Mon, Feb 23, 2009, at 5:34 AM