Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown Tourism Grant/Executive Board met Wednesday at the CSi Technolgy Center at Historic Franklin School.

Members present were:  Board President Matt Woods, and board members Taylor Barnes, Mitzi Hager, Jenna Bergstedt,  and Tena Lawrence.

Grant requests were made by:

Cyndi Wish, who appeared concerning summer staffing, funding with two staff, at the Jamestown Arts Center, requesting the amount of $1,600.

Another source of funding is $720, in-kind.

The board approved  $1,200 and $400 with the $400 part of the request made in 2016 …the completion of the Hansen Arts Park was delayed and  the funds will assist with upcoming summer programming, with an anticipated 4-6 staff members.

A Light Pole Banner funding  request in the amount of $1,750 was made by the Jamestown Downtown Association represented by Lynn Lambrecht, to replace Welcome Banners, and hardware for historic light poles on First Avenue in Downtown Jamestown.  The JDA will supply  $1,750 dollars of the funds. The total budget for the project is $3,500.

The Tourism Grant/Executive Board approved the full amount requested.  Matt Woods declared a conflict of interest being affiliated with the JDA and did not vote.

With Trail Kiosks, a  request was made for $7,000 presented by Bill Steinmetz of the Stutsman County Park Board, Trail Builders Group.

The Board approved funding at $6,550, noting that the kiosks will provide a visible trailhead landmark for two of Jamestown’s signature  trails, Pipestem and Overlook.  The kiosks will direct visitors to other trails, attractions and upcoming events.

The Board  approved funding the full $1,500 requested for the installation of a bike fix it station at the trailhead of Overlook Bike Path, similar to the station at Pipestem.  The total cost for labor and materials installed is $3,280.

In other business:

Executive Director, Searle Swedlund’s requested and was approved unanimously by the board, $4,000 in funding to allow him to participate in the North Dakota Extension Service  Rural North Dakota Leadership educational program.  The program runs for two years.

Old Business:

The Jamestown Regional Airport’s previous Grant of $1,000 for the airport’s advertising kiosk, was approved for re-allocation.  The dollars will go to filling in the blank advertising squares with tourism related messages.