Obion County, Tenn. Tourism Development Committee Makes Funds Available for Tourism Marketing Initiatives
Obion County, Tenn. – The recently appointed Obion County, Tenn. Tourism Development Committee has launched a program for individuals, companies, and organizations to access funds generated by the hotel/motel tax. Grants are available for special events, festivals, and initiatives that demonstrate the ability to attract visitors and generate overnight stays in Obion County, and increase business at area shops, hotels, and restaurants.
The funds are available because of a hotel/motel tax paid by those staying in Obion County hotels, bed and breakfasts, and vacation lodging facilities of all kinds. The state of Tennessee requires these funds to be spent for the promotion of tourism and tourism development which will result in more overnight visitors to the county.
“The economic impact of tourism on our county is significant,” said Sam Sinclair, chairman of the budget committee for Obion County. “In 2020, out-of-town visitors spent more than $52 million here, saving each Obion County household more $320 in taxes. We are anxious to see that number continue to grow.”
The application for grants will be reviewed and selections made by members of the Obion County Tourism Development Committee selected by county mayor Bennie McGuire. In addition to Sam Sinclair representing the budget committee, members are:
- Jon Ed Powers, owner, Final Flight Outfitters, Inc.;
- Bill Sanderson, owner, Sanderson Family Farm and White Squirrel Winery;
- Ed Mayberry, chairman, Samburg Tourism;
- Lindsay Frilling, CEO, Obion County Joint Economic Development Council;
- Scott Williams, president, and CEO, Discovery Park of America;
- Katrina Greer, executive director, Reelfoot Lake Tourism Council;
- Rodney Underwood, mayor, Obion, Tenn.
For more information on the guidelines and to fill out the application form please visit ObionCounty.org/tourismgrant or stop by the Obion County mayor's office.
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