In adopting the 2008-2009 fiscal year budget on June 3rd, the Town Council also signaled a limit on providing funding for a regional tourism initiative.
In exchange for 1% of all lodging taxes collected effective 7/1/2005, the regional group was charged with marketing Blacksburg, Christiansburg and Montgomery County as a destination. Economic benefits were expected by tapping into the state's huge tourism industry, and branding the New River Valley.
What amount may be provided by the Town of Christiansburg for the regional effort going forward has not yet been determined. How "withheld" funds will be used by Christiansburg to market itself instead has not been discussed.
Since the regional tourism funding was a contracted service, that contract must now be renegotiated (it took over 18 months to negotiate the one currently in place). Or it can be allowed to expire. Negotiations will be tough.
Ten weeks after a decision to change the funding, the town and chamber haven't even been able to agree on a date to meet and begin discussions. Whether the other regional partners will revise their own contracts or reject Christiansburg's participation altogether are other possible considerations.
In the meantime, town businesses should be scanning local media, trades and business journals or regional travel/leisure magazines and web sites. Can you find Christiansburg mentioned, and if so, how is it being portrayed? What is being promoted, and who is paying for this marketing? Does the town recruit or try to retain businesses, or effectively market activities that generate tourism and user-fee revenue?
Let's hope any attitudes get put aside, and that calendars can be aligned so negotiations can be effected between town and chamber leaders. Let's hope the town has a plan in place for marketing itself -- attracting and retaining investment, business operators and visitors -- rather than focusing solely on a revised agreement for a regional tourism initiative.