Tourism Commission slashes event sponsorship by 25 percent in new budget

While providing funding for several new events, the Corbin Tourism Commission announced a change in priorities in approving its $1.42 million budget for 2014-15.

Chairman Alan Onkst pointed to 13 annual events the tourism commission has given money to help fund in previous year, including the July 4th festivities, car show, Corbin Main Downtown Events, Fine Arts Concert Series and Nibroc. While the commission is still funding those projects, Onkst noted the amount has been reduced by approximately 25 percent across the board.

“We have our own projects we want to do,” Onkst said of the tourism commission.

Those projects include improvements and renovations to the Railroad Museum at the Corbin Depot for which $50,000 has been budgeted and a beautification project off of exit 25 for which $25,000 has been budgeted.

With the improvement to the exit ramps at the exit, the tourism commission is looking into options on signage at or near the exit.
Assistant Tourism Director Maggy Kriebel said she took the opportunity to drive up Interstate 75 from exit 11 in Williamsburg to exit 87 in Richmond to get an idea of what other cities did to promote themselves to travellers.

Kriebel told the commissioners what she saw ran the design gambit and included gazebos, kiosks and other options Corbin may consider.

Kriebel noted that the latest estimate has the construction at the exit slated for completion in August and she asked the commissioners to come up with suggestions as they work on planning the project.

Commissioner Jackie Willis asked Kriebel to speak with Corbin Mayor Willard McBurney to get the city’s input.

The tourism commission is working on expanding and improving the railroad museum at the depot. Officials said previously a variety of railroad memorabilia has been offered for the museum, including a complete conductor’s uniform.

Onkst said the commission is looking at such projects because of the lasting effect they will have on the city.

“Our priorities have changed,” Onkst said. “We are in business now and we want to do what is in the best interest of the community instead of just handing out money.

While the tourism commission is bringing in an estimated $1,421,173, including $1.25 million in restaurant taxes and $110,000 in hotel taxes, the budget indicates it has little of that to actually spend.

According to the proposed budget, $965,000 of the income is allocated for funding the operation of The Arena.

Onkst noted that while the number of events at the Arena is increasing, it is the types of shows that make a difference for the tourism commission.

“It has to be a big event to get people to come from out of town and stay overnight in our hotels,” Onkst explained.