roughriderrodeoJamestown (CSi)   Jamestown Tourism’s  Grant/ Executive Board met Thursday at the CSi Technology Center at Historic Franklin School.

The Rough Rider Rodeo Association, and Jamestown Civic Center requested $10,000  toward funding the Rough Rider Finals, in Jamestown scheduled for October 28-30 at the Jamestown Civic Center.

At the meeting Deb Carlson said the rodeo’s economic impact to the Jamestown Community is $948,000.

Participants are from five states and three Canadian provinces.

In 2015 the rodeo performances drew an attendance of 2,000.

The board voted unanimously with voting members Matt Woods, Beth Dewald, and Mitzi Hager, to fund the rodeo at $7,500, indicating the rodeo needs bigger support.  That’s the same amount approved in 2012.

The Jamestown City Council has approved terminating the agreement between the Civic Center and the Rodeo Association, in year five of the seven year agreement, following this year’s event.

Civic Center Manager Pam Fosse said the Civic Center and city are taking a loss in hosting the event the past few years, with last year’s shortfall at $17,000.

The Board voted unanimously to approve the 2017 budget request of $434,550, and return to a percentage model, a budget cut of $70,000.

Board Member Beth Dewald wanted to make it clear that the budget dollars are generated from the Restaurant and Lodging Taxes, and does NOT stem from city property taxes.

 

In other business, the Board noted that October 13, 2016 at 4-p.m., will be the ribbon cutting to officially launch the Talking Trail program to be held at Jack Brown Stadium.

The first few signs have been installed at some of the sites, with accompanying recordings.

Tourism Director, Searle Swedlund said  the Tourism web site indicated that  43 inquiries have been made to listen to the recordings  in the first five days of availability.

 

He added that the World’s Largest Buffalo Monument, continues to receive preparations for repainting.

He said the board will be asked to give input on the shades of paint to be used, noting that a clear coat will be applied to extend  the paint life by five years.

In other business, the Board discussed and amended the Capital Construction process including applications.

Grant guidelines have also been established.

The first round of application must be received by the Tourism Office no later that October 1st this year.  The next round application deadline in March 1, 2017.

Thereafter the application deadlines will be October 1 and March 1.