Tourism bureau being considered

Tourism bureau being considered Brian Smith Wed, 02/07/2024 - 3:30 pm   Shane Wilhelm with the Texas Travel Alliance speaks to Jacksboro City Council members about creating a tourism position under the Jacksboro Economic Development Corporation. EDC Executive Director Brenda Tarpley listens in. Photo/Brian Smith Jacksboro officials are looking into the development of a tourism department. There are several questions, such as which city agency this would fall under be it the city, the Chamber or the Economic Development Corporation. JEDC Executive Director Brenda Tarpley brought the concept to the city council during a recent meeting, saying there is not much tourism presence in the visitor center. “We get nothing from the State because our visitor numbers are so low,” Tarpley explained. “We used to have information to give out. COVID hurt us and we simply have not recovered. We’re missing out and we de_nitely need to step up our presence.” Because of the lack of foot traf_c in town, which having a tourism person or department would help, businesses are packing up and moving out of town in hopes of greener pastures, Tarpley said. Tarpley noted that Fort Richardson saw 66,000 visitors in 2022 from 1,700 different zip codes, some from as far away as Nova Scotia. Shane Wilhelm with the Texas Travel Alliance said $6.1 million was spent in the local community in 2022 with $90,000 of that being local sales tax monies. In comparison, Brady, a similar size town in Central Texas with a tourism department, had $20 million spent. “There are a lot of opportunities here,” Wilhelm said. “They’re not being capitalized on. Having a tourism center and a visitor center is a front door to your community.” Wilhelm said there is no cookie cutter way to do a tourism department, be it a committee or an individual person which was discussed. He said 55% of cities that he works with across the State have it under their discretion with another 30% under the Chamber and the rest EDC. Jacksboro Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Keely Hamman Payne says the tourism person needs to be its own entity. She says her hands are tied because she is focusing on business. “Having a direct source (for tourism) is an important position the city needs,” Payne said. Place 5 Alderman Stewart Chalmers said the tourism position is not EDC but should be af_liated with the Chamber. “In other cities it’s all under the Chamber,” Chalmers said. “The Chamber brings in people, the EDC should be bringing in businesses.” Chalmers said in other cities such as Weatherford and Mineral Wells all the hotels and restaurants are all listed under the chamber. City Manager Mike Smith said putting tourism under the Chamber puts Payne in an awkward position is a business is not a Chamber member. “If a person asks where the best chicken fried steak in town is and they’re not a Chamber member what is she supposed to do,” Smith said. Mayor Craig Fenter says what is being done isn’t working and if the EDC has the money, he didn’t see a problem with being under the EDC. He did suggest having a contingency plan so if the program is not working three to five years down the line, it could be done away with. Place 4 Alderman Joel Hood asked if a committee could be formed to better define the position and what would be involved which Place 1 Alderman Libby Gonzales agreed with. “You’re asking for a high school degree but you’re going to need someone who has knowledge of open meetings, graphic design,” Gonzales said. “We need to make the job description more focused and cohesive.” Smith said bringing together other entities such as the schools and the county would be important. Another proposal is expected to be ready by the middle of this month.