Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown Tourism Grant Advisory Board met Thursday at the CSi Technology Center, at Historic Franklin School.  Members present included, President Matt Woods, Jenna Bergstedt, Taylor Barnes,  and Tena Lawrence, along with Ex-Officio Member, Pam Phillips representing the Jamestown City Council, and Tourism Director, Searle Swedlund.

During his report, Swedlund moved,  and approved by the Board, to fund all Greeter Staff Requests at a rate of $10 per hour.

 

Grant requests considered included:

  • Jamestown Chamber Commerce, Beautification Committee – Refurbish Signs
  • Fort Seward – Staffing
  • Stutsman County Museum – Staffing
  • National Buffalo Museum – Staffing
  • Drag Races – Advertising & Capital Request
  • Frontier Village – Staffing (greeter)
  • Frontier Village – Horse & Stagecoach

 

The Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce, City Beautification Committee represented by Bob Martin, requested $400 for the replacement of the Welcome to Jamestown sign, near Jamestown Regional Airport, at the intersection of Highway 20, and 13th Street, Northeast, a 4X8 foot color sign.

The committee recommended funding approval, as the message targets visitors, and is a reasonable request to reprint the signs at entrances to Jamestown.

With Fort Seward representative Dale Marks requested $9,800 for summer staffing, at the Interpretive Center.

$500 is donated from brick sales.

The committee approved, $9,350 in funding, the same level as 2017.

 

The Stutsman County Museum, represented by Tom Lindberg requested $8,100, for summer staffing, from May 26-September 30th with $8,490 coming from the Stutsman County Mill levy, and $7,000 coming from donations and dues.

The committee approved $7,500 the same level as 2017.

 

The National Buffalo Museum , with the presentation given by Swedlund, requested $6,150 for seasonal staffing during extended hours from Memorial Day weekend to the day after Labor Day at an hour rate increase from $9 to $10 per hour.  The museum did not request the taxes paid by the employer, which Tourism pays for other agencies.  The museum will pay for all additional payroll.

The committee approved the full funding request.

Jamestown Drag Racing Association, represented by Brian Kamletz requested $6,000 for advertising and posters, for the May 19 & 2O event at Jamestown Regional Airport, plus $2,200 for the purchase of two leaf blowers for safety at the starting line, and replacement of a water pump in the total amount requested of $8,220.

Other local anticipated funding sources include:  $14,775 from local business sponsors, for poster ads, plus, $12,215 from racer entry fees, $10,671 from gate admissions, $3,850 from t-shirt sales.

The economic impact is estimated at $250,000.

The board approved funding the entire amount of $6,000 for advertising, the dates have been moved, earlier in the summer, due to the runway improvement project at the Jamestown Regional Airport site.

The board, also approved $2,220 for  the leaf blowers and water pump granting, noting safety issues.

The Frontier Village, represented Tina Busche, requested $29,713 divided, with $14,906 for greeter salaries, and $11,700 including a request to move horse boarding from 8-12 months, in addition to requesting dollars for deferred maintenance of the stagecoach.

The board considered the $11,700 as a subsidy for the program, saying that requesting more dollars only makes sense if the scope of the experience in growing.

The board approved the $11,700 request for horse boarding, at the 2017 funding level.

The board approved $14, 789 for greeter salaries, at an hourly rate of $10 per hour

The board granted $2,075 for stage coach maintenance, again noting safety concerns.

 

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING

Financial Report  was previously approved at the Annual Meeting.

 

Ex-Officio Reports:

City Council Member Pam Phillips reported a candidate was recently interviewed for the City Administrator position.  She pointed out that residential recycling is delayed until March 1st.   She added that if the recycler does not initiate residential recycling by that date, the city may bring litigation action.

She added that the Jamestown Recycling Center has reopened at the drop off site.

 

NEW BUSINESS

The Report on the Credit Card Cash Back noted $100 at 1,000 points.

The County Mill Levy Expenditures for Tourism Entities was presented.

 

Jamestown Tourism is offering grants to nonprofit agencies in Stutsman County for projects that will grow or enhance visitor experiences and increase the impact of tourism in the local economy.

The 2018 Visitor’s Promotion Capital Construction Fund purpose is to create economic benefits including overnight stays, create facilities that do not exist in the area, and/or create experiences that enhance the time visitors spend in Jamestown. Funds can be used for building new visitor attractions, expansions, creating new experience or supporting services for visitors. Funds cannot be used for marketing or ongoing operating expenses.

Opportunities to apply for these funds will be awarded twice per year. Applications for the spring process are due March 1, 2018, and agencies awarded funding will have one year after the announcement to use these funds. Applications for the fall process will be due October 1, 2018.

More details about the grant program and applications can be requested by emailing office@DiscoverJamestownND.com.  Applications must be received at Jamestown Tourism, 404 Louis L’Amour Ln, Jamestown, ND no later than 5 p.m. March 1, 2018. For more information, contact Searle Swedlund at 701-251-9145.