Marshall Tourism Commission still accepting grant applications

Although the Oct. 7 application deadline has passed, the Marshall Tourism Commission is willing to accept more requests for tourism grant funds from area organizations, the group decided at its meeting Wednesday morning, Oct. 21.

Thus far, the commission has received only one completed application, from Marshall Chamber of Commerce. This encompasses requests from various groups including Friends of Arrow Rock, Friends of Jim the Wonder Dog and Slater Bear Creek Blues Festival and totals more than $40,000.

Commission Treasurer Gracie Bouws reported third-quarter collections of the tourism tax at $24,624.06.

"That was a very, very good quarter," she said.

The total could be more, however, if all hotels in Marshall were paying their share of the tax. Currently, two hotels are delinquent, Bouws said.

In total, the commission has $133,248.31 available for disbursement. That includes money saved from previous years, Bouws said.

The commission also heard from Norma Jeane Ferguson, representing the Country Patchwork Quilt Guild, at the meeting. The guild had received tourism funds to offset the cost of its annual quilt show, held in September, and to pay for the special guests, quilters from Gee's Bend, Ala. Ferguson asked the commission if it was possible to receive more funds to pay those costs.

Bouws asked Ferguson to fill out a formal application, and then the commission will consider the request.

Besides Bouws, commission members Amy Crump, Bob Kueck and Gary Grote were present at the meeting.

The commission will meet again Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 8 a.m. in the conference room of the city office building to hear presentations from grant applicants.

Contact Sydney Stonner at marshallbusiness@socket.net