Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown Tourism Grant Executive/Advisory Board met Tuesday afternoon, at the CSi Technology Center, at Historic Franklin School.

In attendance were:  Board members,  Taylor Barnes, Janna Bergstedt, Mitzi Hager, and Tena Lawrence.

Tourism Director Searle Swedlund, along with Ex-Officio member, Pam Fosse, representing the Jamestown Civic Center.

Grant requests on the agenda were presented from:

Burst the Bubble – Jamestown Tennis Association

ND Roughrider Rodeo State Championship – James River Rodeo

Campground project – Stutsman County Park Board

 

Jamestown Tennis Association is requesting $2600, sponsoring an indoor Burst The Bubble, tennis tournament, sanctioned by the USTA, November  2-4, 2018 at Two Rivers Activity Center in Jamestown.

Eric Watne said the event will promote tennis in Jamestown.

He noted an expenditure of $2,500 in TRAC facility rental costs.

About $600 is anticipated from registrations, and $500 from sponsorships.  $800 is the estimated costs for marketing the tournament.  $3694 for tournament costs, with total revenue expected of $3,750.  The economic impact is estimated at $12,500, with 50 visitors.

The Tourism Board voted to fund $2,500.

James River Rodeo, Inc., requested $5,000  toward the marketing plan, for The Rough Rider Rodeo Finals, at the Jamestown Civic Center, October 26, 27, and 28.

Last year the Rodeo made a profit of $5,700.

Civic Center, Manager Pam Fosse said the city picks up the Civic Center rental costs, and the supply of dirt.

Contributions from the Rough Rider Association is expected at $8,000, sponsorships $30,000, and $25,000 in ticket sales.

The economic impact is estimated at $627,500, with an estimated 2800 for attendance.

The Tourism Board voted to approved the full amount of $5,000.

 

At the meeting to discuss the campground project, were:  Stutsman County Auditor/ COO, Nicole Meland, along with County Commissioner David Schwartz, along with Karl Bergh.  The Stutsman County Park Board  applied for a grant of $7,000 to expand campground offerings at Jamestown Reservoir, identifying a parcel of land, 15 acres, west of Joos Grove and and north of Lakeside Marina.  The  grant dollars will help develop the overview for the project, working with KLJ Architects.

Plans include providing space for pull-through R.V. sites, group camping sites, picnic areas, common area space, and other supporting recreational solutions to support the campers.

The project has a possible start up date of the summer of 2019.

The Tourism Board voted to grant the full amount requested of $7,000.

 

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING

 

Mitzi Hager gave the Financial Report

 

Tourism Report –  Director Searle Swedlund said the  grant for the 1883 Stutsman County Courthouse doors renovation was granted earlier this year.   He pointed out that the project is slower than expected because the doors are unable to be removed, and will be renovated in place.

He said Tourism Office Manager Emily Bivens will stay on board until Labor Day, and then work with the Tourism Office on a contractual basis on certain projects.

Emily said she begins her position as Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce, Executive Director after Labor Day this year.

Tourism is conducting a search for the open position.

The Ex-Officio report from Civic Center Manager, Pam Fosse, as she indicated some smaller committee meetings from organizations around North Dakota have booked meeting locations in Jamestown.

She added that a bid is out for a large state-wide convention for the Civic Center, still pending a response.

She said the lower level bleachers will be taken out of the arena, to be replaced with the new seating by late September or early October this year, after the rodeo, and before basketball tournaments.

Under New Business, Paulette Ritter said the signage at the Sensory Garden Kiok is still planned for installation this year.

The Tourism Executive Advisory Board approved the extension of a previously approved grant for the project, the next few weeks, until the signage is installed.