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Franklin County tourism highlights Major League Fishing coverage, launches VA250 programming
Summary
Tourism staff told supervisors Major League Fishing’s May event on Smith Mountain Lake delivered record live‑viewing and will air nationally this fall; the county also launched local programming and exhibits tied to Virginia’s 250th anniversary.
Franklin County tourism staff briefed supervisors on July 15 about a busy fiscal year that included national broadcast exposure from Major League Fishing and preparations for statewide VA250 bicentennial programming.
Kevin Tosh, director of tourism, said Major League Fishing’s May event was “the most viewed event in Major League Fishing history,” with over 1 million unique live viewers and more than 25 million minutes watched during the multi‑day event. The tournament producer plans subsequent broadcast windows on Discovery and other national outlets in July and December, Tosh said, and Major League Fishing has indicated interest in continued partnership.
Tosh also reviewed local tourism metrics drawn from Virginia Tourism data for calendar year 2023: an estimated $72.2 million in direct visitor spending, roughly 532 tourism jobs, $15.3 million in labor income, $1.4 million in state tax revenue and $2.8 million in local taxes. Tosh said the county’s marketing and visitor‑promotion budget (excluding fair and small line items) is covered by transient occupancy tax (TOT) receipts; the department returned a surplus to the general fund in FY 24–25.
The tourism director said the department secured several competitive grants: a $20,000 Virginia Tourism DMO marketing grant aimed at shoulder‑season promotion (Sept–Feb), a $10,000 microbusiness match grant and a $4,000 collaborative grant for a regional Mountain Spirits Trail.
On VA250 — Virginia’s 250th anniversary — the county has formed a local steering committee and launched initiatives to educate residents and students, including a virtual “Revolutionary Trails” field trip and an exhibit of historic items titled “Threads of the Revolution.” Plans for a hands‑on student program for spring 2026 and an expanded exhibit schedule were also announced.
Why it matters: Major League Fishing’s national coverage brings regional economic impact and national exposure for Smith Mountain Lake and the county’s tourism amenities. The VA250 activities aim to increase civic engagement and broaden educational programming across the county.
What’s next: Tourism staff will use state grant funding to market during the pandemic’s low season, continue pursuit of competitive grants, and coordinate VA250 events with local partners and schools.
