Tourism approves grant requests, 2017 budget

Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown Tourism Grant/Executive Advisory board met Thursday at the CSi Technology Center at Historic Franklin School.

Grant Requests were made by:

Big guns of the Old West for the Fort Seward Reconstruction Committee, requesting $1,000, concerning the Gatling’s Battery Gun demonstration, and publicity for the event to be held September 17, 2016, at Ft. Seward. They anticipate 100 visitors. Dale Marks estimated about 10 percent of those in attendance are from out of town.  The demonstration will be followed by the Cannon Shoot.

The board voted to fund the entire amount.

A request of $2,000 was made by the Jamestown Fine Arts Association for Saturday staffing for the Jamestown Arts Center.

Sally Jepsen said the Arts Center sees the highest number of “drop-in” visitors on Saturdays, with the highest tourism traffic. She indicated that with next summer’s opening of the Hansen Arts Park that it’s likely one Saturday staff person will be on hand, when the Park has activities that day.

The board voted to fund the entire amount.

Stutsman County Trail Builders – Stutsman County Park Board requested $1,055.85 for maintenance equipment for Jamestown Dam, Mountain Biking and hiking the Split Rock and Overlook Trails.

The board voted to fund $1,100.

Bill Steinmetz pointed out that a number of individuals that frequent the trails, and hikers, voluntarily help pick up the area, along with volunteers that help out with mowing the land.

North Dakota Patriot Guard requested $2,500 for advertising, posters and mailings to veterans organizations across the state for the August 12,and 13, 2016, Fallen Heroes Memorial Ride. George Quiqley said the anticipated attendance is 260, with a number of participants expected to stay in Jamestown overnight. Last year 24 rooms were booked at the Gladstone Inn & Suites in Jamestown, plus others that stayed at other Jamestown motels.

The board voted to fund the entire amount.

In Other business the Board approve the budget request to be presented to the Jamestown City Council, during the 2017 budget hearings in the amount of $190,700 for operating and salary expenses, a budget increase of five percent.

Projected 2017 income includes $75,000 In JSDC Grants, $429,250 in Hospitality Funds, and $50 listed under miscellaneous for a total of $504,300.

The Board also approved the County Mill Levy for tourism entities.

In other business the Board reviewed Jamestown Tourism 990 information, and explained changes in the Capital Construction process to be implemented in October this year.