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Jackson TDA outlines plans for capital projects funding
JCTDA rolls out tourism capital project fund
Public art is one example of how capital project funds can be used.
BY HANNAH MCLEOD STAFF WRITER
Jackson County Tourism Development Authority will open applications for its first round of tourism capital projects funds this year. This gives community stakeholders the chance to apply for money to fund projects that better the community for tourists and residents alike.
“The possibilities are pretty wide open for what we can fund,” said Breedlove. “We do this for the community benefit. Visitors come here, they spend money, but we want to reinvest those funds to benefit both the visitor and the residents.”
In Western North Carolina, Buncombe County has used the tourism capital project fund to expand its greenway system, along with almost 40 other community projects. In total, Buncombe has spent $44 million to improve the community through the capital project fund.
Capital projects include things like convention and conference centers, arenas and stadiums, sports facilities, performing arts venues, museums, parks, greenways, trails, public art, visitors centers and wayfinding signs.
By funding capital projects, tourism bureaus increase the demand for accommodations, local spending and visitor satisfaction, thereby bringing more money into a county.
Legislation permitting tourism bureaus to expend up to one third of their total revenues on tourism-related expenditures comes from North Carolina House Bill 96, which passed in 2011. According to the legislation, tourism-related expenditures are those designed to increase the use of lodging, meeting, or convention facilities in the county or to attract tourists or business travelers to the county. The term includes tourism-related capital expenditures.
JCTDA began developing the application for capital projects in 2020 with research into best practices in other destinations. The application was reviewed by JCTDA’s Product and Experience Development Committee, Visitor Experience Committee, Magellan Strategy Group, and the county’s legal and finance teams.
“One of our goals is to fund projects that have a useful lifespan of 10 or more years, or new construction, expansion or renovation that have a total cost of at least $25,000. Or a major maintenance or rehabilitation project with a cost of more than $25,000,” said Breedlove.
This year the JCTDA is recommending one funding cycle because the process is beginning in February. However, in future years it recommends two full funding cycles.
The JCTDA has created a Tourism Capital Project Fund Committee with representatives from across tourism industries including accommodations, food and beverage, chamber of commerce, arts and culture, the community, JCTDA board chairman and a county commissioner. This committee will review applications prior to going before the full JCTDA board, who will review applications before deciding which applications to forward to the county commission for approval.
Applications will be scored according to a rubric so that applicants know what components are most important. Applications can receive up to 20 points for both tourism promotion impact and room nights, 15 points for scale and capacity to attract visitors, 10 points for benefit to the destination, and up to five point each for enhancing visitor experience, program components, quality of research, comprehensive marketing approach, suitable target market, evidence of partnership and organizational structure and management.
According to the tentative schedule for the 2022 application, JCTDA will hold a pre submittal conference June 1, applications will be due Aug. 1 for review by the TCPF Committee, they will then go before the full JCTDA board Aug. 18, before the county commission during a work session Sept. 13, before the county commission in regular session Sept. 22, and a funding agreement will be executed Oct. 20.
“Every funding agreement that we put together will be custom depending on the applicant, as to when we release funds, how often, what milestones are required before we release funds,” said Breedlove. “We will be relying on Ms. Fox to make those determinations. By doing so we ensure the highest and best use of these tax dollars and the process provides clarity, efficiency and accountability.”
The JCDTA has allocated $500,000 for the capital project fund this fiscal year. Not all of that money has to be used, and multiple applications can be considered at once. Future fiscal year allocations will depend on forecasted occupancy tax receipts. Applications will be live at JacksonCountyTDA.com in the coming month.
“We’d like to see this program continue to grow,” said Breedlove. “We will scrutinize these projects to make sure they are really good fits, not just that we use up that pot of money. So if there is money leftover from this fiscal year, we will roll it into next fiscal year.”
Commissioner Gayle Woody asked whether the county could apply for these funds in order to help complete projects like a greenway. According to Breedlove, the county could apply for funds; the appropriate county department would be the applicant for those projects.
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Tips for Grocery Shopping on a Budget
HANNAH MCLEOD·
Grocery shopping is my happy place. I don’t know how this happened but over the years, the weekly, bi-weekly or sometimes daily chore of going to the grocery store has become a serious high point in my days.
Perusing the produce section, sauce aisle, pickle shelves, international section, or frozen vegetable department is as entertaining as any television show. After a hard day or a stressful situation? A 15-20 minute grocery session can wipe my immediate worries away. I honestly don’t know what it is. Everyone has their thing and I guess mine is the grocery store.
I know not everyone feels the same. Grocery shopping can be stressful, especially if you’re working on a budget. However, there are lots of ways to save money at the grocery store. Most of them involve getting a little crafty. Here are a few ways I cut down on grocery bills. (Everyone has their own needs and home environment, so these may not be helpful to all.)
Make friends with rice and beans - There is a reason almost every culture has its own version of this dish. It’s cheap, nutritious and delicious. One pound of dry beans will rarely cost you more than two dollars. Additionally, most produce stands carry them in bulk so you can get an even better cost for a food item that won’t perish. Beans are a great source of protein and will usually be cheaper than meat. Plus, they have a ton of dietary fiber which meat is completely devoid of.
Rice has a similar low cost and comes in several varieties. Buy these items in bulk to get a nutritious meal at a low cost. Bonus: leftover beans and/or rice are almost always a great addition to soups or stews.
(Other cheap friends for healthy shopping on a budget? Root vegetables; pumpkin and squashes; cabbage; bananas)
Opt for whole foods over processed - Not only are processed foods generally
worse for your body than whole foods, they are also harder on the wallet and the environment than whole food alternatives. When buying processed foods, you aren’t only paying for the low quality ingredients within, you are paying for the processing and the packaging.
Most of us rely on processed foods for the “in between” meals. Snacks, quick breakfasts, lunches on the go, etc. Take a little time to plan out alternatives. Instead of a bar for breakfast, could a banana and handful of nuts do the trick? Homemade granola and yogurt? Overnight oats? Focusing on whole foods is a good way to get more nutrients for your buck.
Buy fresh ingredients in portions you’ll use - this may mean going to the grocery store more frequently, but it can also save you money by reducing waste and helping you focus on buying only what you know you’ll eat.
Plan, plan, plan - Before you go to the grocery store, take stock of what’s already in the fridge and pantry. If you’re planning meals for the week, be sure to incorporate what is already in the house before planning a meal that is based on ingredients that still need to be purchased. This may mean making meals you aren’t as excited about, but it's a good way to tune in to your creative side and it will help with both food and money waste.
MOST OF THE WORK FOR BUDGET-FRIENDLY GROCERY SHOPPING GOES ON BEFORE YOU EVEN WALK INTO THE STORE.
Don’t be scared of the freezer - this comes in two parts. Don’t be afraid to freeze what isn’t getting eaten, and don’t be scared of buying frozen ingredients.
Frozen vegetables are frozen at peak ripeness and can often contain even more nutrients than freshies. They are especially good for soups, stews or casseroles where texture isn’t as big of a concern.
On the other hand, get used to using the freezer in your home. If you make a pound of beans one weekend, eat them for a couple meals and decide you need to take at least a week off, throw them in the freezer. They will be there when you need them. And, when you get to a tight week budget-wise, everything you’ve thrown in the freezer along the way will be a welcome surprise.
Day-olds - lots of bakeries have day-old options at a reduced price. Find a local joint where you can stock up on breads and other treats at a reduced price.
Drink Water - What? How is this a shopping tip? Well, it isn’t, really. But just remember, if you’re drinking anything other than water, you don’t actually need it. That may sound harsh, but beverages other than water are empty calories (for the most part) and empty spending opportunities.
DON’T FORGET REUSABLE BAGS!
Graphic Designer Jessica Murray (from left), SMN News Editor Jessi Stone, Staff Writer Hannah McLeod, Digital Media Specialist Susanna Shetley and Amanda Singletary (not pictured)
Rumble is a weekly e-newsletter created by women, for women and about women. It is published by The Smoky Mountain News and delivered to your inbox each Thursday. The goal is to offer readers a beautifully curated email that will inspire and motivate women to live their best lives. By hearing the challenges and successes of other women, we hope you will find an opportunity to live, love, learn and grow in your own unique way.
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