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Official Web site: Doyle Backs $250,000 To Boost Tourism For Flood-Ravaged Areas
Dells, Lake Delton Areas Account For $1B In Revenue
UPDATED: 12:43 pm CDT June 27,
2008
MADSON, Wis. -- Gov. Jim Doyle announced on Thursday that he would authorize new funding to help boost the state's $13 billion tourism industry in areas hard-hit by this month's flooding.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportState officials are providing $250,000 to be divided up into the 28 federal disaster areas designated by Federal Emergency Management Agency officials. The one-time grants will go toward advertising and marketing projects to let tourists know that Wisconsin Dells businesses and other affected areas are still open and operating.Speaking at the Wisconsin Dells Thursday, Doyle said, "As governor, I've worked with all of you here to work to make sure that we upgrade and modernize our state's tourism industry. For Wisconsin's economy to continue to grow, we must have a healthy tourism industry with the tools and resources it takes to promote our state."Each community's nonprofit organizations, like the convention bureaus, chambers of commerce and other economic development groups, could also be eligible for up to $12,500 awarded by the state Department of Tourism."We would definitely stay with our traditional markets and certainly those include areas within a three-hour drive to the Wisconsin Dells, and so we would take a look at what our current campaign plans were and then look to augment those with the message that Wisconsin Dells is open," said Romy Snyder, the executive director of the Dell's Visitors and Convention Bureau.The Wisconsin Dells and Lake Delton areas account for $1 billion in tourism revenue for the state. Tourism officials for the Dells said that they have a $5 million summer tourism budget, but they said that "every penny helps."They might apply for the full $12,500, but if they see a need in a smaller community, they would pull their application, said Melanie Platt-Gibson, of the Dells Visitor and Convention Bureau.The applications received by July 1 could be awarded as soon as July 15, giving those attractions time to salvage some summer tourism.Stay tuned to WISC-TV and Channel 3000 for continuing coverage.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportState officials are providing $250,000 to be divided up into the 28 federal disaster areas designated by Federal Emergency Management Agency officials. The one-time grants will go toward advertising and marketing projects to let tourists know that Wisconsin Dells businesses and other affected areas are still open and operating.Speaking at the Wisconsin Dells Thursday, Doyle said, "As governor, I've worked with all of you here to work to make sure that we upgrade and modernize our state's tourism industry. For Wisconsin's economy to continue to grow, we must have a healthy tourism industry with the tools and resources it takes to promote our state."Each community's nonprofit organizations, like the convention bureaus, chambers of commerce and other economic development groups, could also be eligible for up to $12,500 awarded by the state Department of Tourism."We would definitely stay with our traditional markets and certainly those include areas within a three-hour drive to the Wisconsin Dells, and so we would take a look at what our current campaign plans were and then look to augment those with the message that Wisconsin Dells is open," said Romy Snyder, the executive director of the Dell's Visitors and Convention Bureau.The Wisconsin Dells and Lake Delton areas account for $1 billion in tourism revenue for the state. Tourism officials for the Dells said that they have a $5 million summer tourism budget, but they said that "every penny helps."They might apply for the full $12,500, but if they see a need in a smaller community, they would pull their application, said Melanie Platt-Gibson, of the Dells Visitor and Convention Bureau.The applications received by July 1 could be awarded as soon as July 15, giving those attractions time to salvage some summer tourism.Stay tuned to WISC-TV and Channel 3000 for continuing coverage.Copyright 2008 by Channel 3000. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
