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

The board approved three grants, one for Jamestown Youth Baseball, hosting the upcoming State Class “AA” American Legion Baseball Tournament at Jack Brown Stadium and two grant requests from the Jamestown Fine Arts Association.

Youth Baseball represented by Cory Anderson requested $2,000 and the full grant amount was approved.

Anderson said the Tournament dates are July 29-August 3, 2014, with a double elimination tournament featuring nine out of town teams, plus Jamestown. A total of 19 games will be played. The Jaybal organization will provide $5,000 in funding, toward the total costs of $10,000.

He pointed out that during the tournament each team will require five hotel rooms of at least two nights, with at least 10 rooms per team which will bring 18 players each. Anderson added the request to Jamestown Tourism was made, due to the economic impact the tournament will have on Jamestown with Class “AA” teams coming from around the state.

The board also approved the full grant funding request of $1,568.00 for the Jamestown Fine Arts Association to hire a person to staff the Jamestown Arts Center, for four hours on Saturdays from September 1, 2014, to August 30, 2015. The total cost of the program is $2,038.00, with $470 coming from general operating expenses.

The board approved the full grant funding request for Fine Arts to bring back to Jamestown, glassblower, Jon Offutt, in the amount of $1,568.00 of the total cost of $2,100. The Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce will fund $500.00 and Vining Oil providing $100.00 for a total cost of $2,100.00.

Offutt will participate in the August 28, 2014 Community Block Party, downtown which will involve activities at the Art Park, downtown.

Offutt will also give glassblowing classes at the Arts Center, earlier that day.

The Fine Arts Association was represented by Sally Jeppson.

Tourism Director, Searle Swedlund said in his report that this has been a full summer, with the re-branding, “Discover Jamestown, North Dakota,” and new name “Jamestown Tourism.”

Holly Miller, speaking for JSDC, CEO, Connie Ova gave an update on programs, and a report on the recent JSDC Executive, and Board of Directors meeting.

Meeting Tuesday evening, Jamestown Tourism’s Executive Advisory Board approved the proposed 2015 budget.

The board will address a budget shortfall and request theJamestown City Council for an eight percent increase in hospitality funds and a $32,000 “enhancement” for marketing.

Jamestown Tourism Executive Director Searle Swedlund said he will also be making a request to the Jamestown/Stutsman Development Corp. Executive Committee at its Aug. 5 meeting for a portion operating funds to help address the shortfall.

Swedlund said the JSDC provided $65,000 in operating funds to Jamestown Tourism in 2013 and this year but only agreed to do so for those two years.

It was pointed out that Jamestown Tourism has about $200,000 checking and can make up the shortfall this year, if the City Council and JSDC Executive Committee deny the request.

A Executive Advisory Board President, Alden Kollman added that Jamestown Tourism likely has to request the $32,000 enhancement this year, or those dollars may not be included in future hospitality fund revenues provided through the city.