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In a relatively quick meeting, Blacksburg Town Council heard a report on the Tourism Marketing Campaign, as well as approving several resolutions in its monthly meeting Tuesday night.
Shane Adams, Executive Director of Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, presented to council an update on the Tourism Marketing Campaign. Adams told Council that the statewide tourism figures from 2006 (most recent figures) that there has been an increase of 6.4 percent in tourism-related expenditures in Montgomery County, which indicates over a $6 million dollar increase in 2006 compared to 2005. Blacksburg enjoyed an 8 percent increase in FY 06-07 over FY 05-06. There was a $36,000 increase in the occupancy tax alone. Christiansburg, which has more hotel rooms, posted an 18 percent increase, which equaled to $138,000 revenue increase in its occupancy tax. Adams also said Montgomery County had a 34 percent increase, which amounted to $8,000 in occupancy tax. “Overall, with all three jurisdictions working together on this program, we had a 14 percent increase in the occupancy tax, collections of $174,000,” said Adams. “We also had a 5 percent increase in our occupancy rate, which was what we was going for in the first place.” Adams also talked about some of the different publications in which ads have been placed promoting Montgomery County, as well as upcoming marketing plans. “As a result of the ads we placed in 2007, we generated over 34,000 leads as a result of that,” Adams said. “Out of those 34,000 leads, we have mailed 10,000 visitors packs out to those interested in our area.” Adams also said that the Chamber processes about 60,000 phone calls a year, which about 1/3 of them are tourism related. The Chamber Director also showed Council a mock-up of their very first visitors guide which is currently at the printers. In other business, Council denied a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to James P. Linkous. T/A FASCAB, LLC, for the conduct of taxicab service in the Town of Blacksburg. Council also adopted the following resolutions, A Resolution Approving the Various Aspects of the International Street Fair; A Resolution Establishing a Process For Selecting Projects for the Town’s Urban Construction Initiative Program; A Resolution Approving Revisions to the Water Distribution System Standards And Specifications; A Resolution Authorizing An Appeal of a Montgomery County Circuit Court Decision To The Supreme Court of Virginia. Council also approved a change to the Stormwater Management Task Force; South Blacksburg Transportation Planning Task Force Charge; and a Parade or Demonstration Permit for “Take Back The Night Rally and March”, which is planned for March 27 at 8 p.m. In citizen comments, Mike Wade of the New River Valley Community Services spoke about safety concerns at a crosswalk located in front of their office at 810 University City Boulevard. Wade said that vehicles are not stopping for their clients or employees at the crosswalk. There was no old or new business brought up at the meeting. The next meeting of Town Council is a work session scheduled for Tuesday, March 4, at 11 a.m.
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