Superior’s Finance Committee recommended some changes to the Tourism Development Fund in response to the COVID-19 pandemic during its Monday, Nov. 30 meeting.
The fund was created to use revenue generated by hotel and motel stays to promote tourism in the city. Grants distributed from the fund are used to help create community events.
The city’s ordinances require grants approved by the Tourism Development Fund Committee to be expended or encumbered within 12 months from the time of deposit.
“Typically the fund manages itself quite well, but with events cancelling in 2020, and foreseeably into 2021, I do think some of these funds are going to age beyond the current ordinance as it is written,” said Taylor Pedersen, president and chief executive officer of the Chamber of Superior-Douglas County and Travel Superior.
Pedersen asked the finance committee to consider extending that deadline to 24 months for grants awarded between Sept. 1, 2019, and May 31, 2021.
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Councilor Tylor Elm made a motion to approve a resolution that would extend the deadline on grants distributed during that period.
“That makes perfect sense,” he said.
The measure still requires council approval to go into effect. The council meets again Tuesday, Dec. 15.
