Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown Tourism Grant/Executive Board met Thursday, at the JSDC/Chamber Lower Level Conference Room.

Present, Tourism Director, Searle Swedlund,  Board Members,  President Tena Lawrence, Pam Phillips, Frank Balak, Taylor Barnes, and Paulette Ritter.

 

GRANT BOARD MEETING

Jamestown City Forester  Erik Laber  requested grant dollars for the Prairie Grass Plantings & Trees in the amount of  $3117.76 for  the  Water Plant improvement/prairie restoration/installation project, at the Jamestown Water Treatment Plant Near Jamestown Tourism Office/Frontier Village. The North Dakota Forester Service is contributing $600.47. Spokesperson at the meeting, Searle Swedlund said

The board voted to grant, $3,117.76 as requested.

 

Annual Event Grants:

Arts Center Thursday Downtown Arts Market

Arts Center Director, Mindi Schmitz said, starting July 7, 2022, The Hansen Arts Park will Host the Downtown Art Market.  It will include professional performances, artisan vendors, and community art projects.  Business Sponsorship include $12,000.

The Arts Center requested $10,000.

The board granted  $10,000.

 

The Jamestown Class Car Club requested  $1,500 for the Classic Car Club Winter Wheels Show to be held January 22, 2022, at the Jamestown Civic Center. Gloria Meikle said, the car show brings out people to see unique cars and it breaks up the winter.   Other anticipated dollars, include door intake of $8,000 to $10,000, vendor booths $500, vehicle registrations, $800 to $1,000.

The board granted $1,500.

 

Jamestown Area Chamber  Requested  $3,000 for  Buffalo Days, July 23, and 24 in Jamestown Chamber Executive, Emily Bivens said, the requested dollars are earmarked, for advertising for our community-wide celebration and partnership between many local entities including, the Jamestown Classic Car Club, Fort Seward, Jamestown Parks and Recreation, 1883 Stutsman County Courthouse, Jamestown Downtown Association, The Arts Center, Jamestown Fire Department, downtown businesses, and many more. This celebration includes a parade, classic car show, mini-art hunt, pancake breakfast and much more. The Chamber does not gain financially from this event. We appreciate the support of Jamestown Tourism in helping us provide a collective advertising effort of this community celebration.

The board granted $3,000.

 

Jamestown Downtown Association requested  $1,000 for annual Rods & Hogs event for the summer of 2022 in Downtown Jamestown.

The board granted the full request of $1,000.

 

Jamestown Drag Racing Association requested  $7,500 for the Summer Event to be held dates to be determined in June, and July 2022.  Mike Trautman said, funds are being requested for advertising. In 2021, 47 percent of racing fans came from  more than 50 miles to attend.  Other funding includes $11,300 from local business sponsors, and $24,000 from  gate and entry fees.

The board granted $7,500.

 

Jamestown Rural Fire Department requested $4,000 for the Ice Fishing Tourney, to be held February 19, 2022. Travis Lemieux said the dollars would be used for marketing.

The board granted $4,000.

 

Also Thursday…

St. John’s Academy requested $3925 to fund a Boys & Girls Youth Basketball Tournament to be held at the University of Jamestown, January 22, and 23, 2022.  Jeff Traumbauer said 76 teams are expected, with eight players per team.  He said the Knights of Columbus is sponsoring T-shirts.  He said a video board will be rented for the tournament.

The board granted the full request of $3,925. Funds from the 2021 budget.

 

 

To be allocated from 2022 grant funds:

Tourism Site Staffing Grant applications were recommended, with salaries recommended by Tourism.

Hourly rates in 2021 were $11.50 per hour.

The board granted an hourly rate of $12.00 per hour for 2022 .  At Total of $40,033.

Searle Swedlund recommended a total of $6,000 for mowing at Frontier Village.

 

The 2022 NAIA Women’s  National Wrestling Tourney requested $10,000 in grant dollars .  University of Jamestown. Athletic Director, Sean Johnson said, 37 teams will participate, in March 2022, at the University of Jamestown Campus. He said some teams arrive in town a day or two before the tournament, and spend overnights.

The board granted the full request of $10,000.

 

 

Executive Board

Conflict of Interest: Tena Lawrence, being employed by the  University of Jamestown, declared a conflict on voting on the NAIA Women’s Wrestling Tournament to be held at UJ, which the board agreed to.

 

Grant Allocation Report  was presented by, Frank Balak. The board granted dollars to allow a positive balance in the funds, as explained by Searle Swedlund.

 

Old Business

Th board approved removing the Talking Trails Grant Application Process, and removed the Interpretive  Staff Grant Process to streamline the process.