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 increasing 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 be spent for promotion of tourism and tourism development that 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 that has been selected by county mayor Benny 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 Corporation; Scott Williams, president and CEO, Discovery Park of America; Katrina Greer, executive director, Reelfoot Lake Tourism Council and Rodney Underwood, mayor, Obion, Tenn.
Guidelines and application form are available at ObionCounty.org/tourismgrant or may be picked up at the office of the Obion County mayor.
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