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Gunbarrel City approves Hotel-Motel funding for quilt show and Pink Fishing bass tournament, EDC sponsors advertising
Summary
Council approved up to $5,000 in hotel-motel funds for the Gunbarrel City Quilters Guild show and $2,435 for the Pink Fishing 'Reeling in the Cure' bass tournament; the Economic Development Corporation also approved a $4,000 advertising sponsorship for Pink Fishing.
The Gunbarrel City Council approved two separate uses of hotel-motel occupancy tax funds Tuesday and the city’s Economic Development Corporation (EDC) funded an additional advertising package to support a local charity bass tournament.
Quilt show: Council approved spending up to $5,000 from the Hotel-Motel Fund to support the Gunbarrel City Quilters Guild annual quilt show. Melinda Adams, show committee chair, told the council the show draws more than 600 attendees and that half of raffle-quilt proceeds support local organizations, including the Gunbarrel City Fire Department. The council approved the allocation by unanimous vote (Burns — yes; Jacobs — yes; Edwards — yes).
Pink Fishing tournament: Council approved spending up to $2,435 from the Hotel-Motel Fund to support PinkFishing Inc.’s Reeling in the Cure bass tournament, which organizers say raises funds for people in active breast-cancer treatment and provides comfort packages and screening events. Event director Misty Schmidt said the event raised about $16,800 at the event last year and nearly $24,000 when combined with grants and donations.
EDC advertising sponsorship: Separately, the EDC approved purchase of an advertising package for PinkFishing Inc. not to exceed $4,000; the package includes banner placement, logo display in printed materials and social media promotion to attract out-of-town anglers and visitors. The EDC director told council the board approved the package as a way to promote business activity and visitor spending in Gunbarrel City.
Discussion versus decision: Council formally approved the two hotel-motel allocations and recorded roll-call votes. The EDC’s sponsorship was approved by the EDC and then presented to council for ratification as an item; the council approved the corresponding donation to Pink Fishing for advertising in the amount not to exceed $4,000.
Economic impact: Organizer Misty Schmidt estimated the tournament would draw about 62 out-of-town visitors and about 150 local visitors, projecting approximately $10,567 in direct economic impact for the city. Schmidt said the event brings participants to local lodging, retail and restaurants and added that the event includes a candlelight prayer vigil and survivor support activities.
