The Shelbyville City Council approved two local tourism grants to support community events, authorizing funding from the fiscal-year-2026 hotel/motel budget allocated for tourism.

Council approved a $3,000 grant to Calvin Cannon to support a July 2025 summer event described in the agenda as a “southern summer” event. The council also approved a $5,000 grant to Marty Gordon for the annual Mule Day Festival in September 2025 to be held at the city’s celebration grounds.

Council members said the awards are based on anticipated “heads on beds” — an estimate of how many hotel nights an event will generate — and the expected visitor impact. One council member clarified that the Mule Day Festival historically brings more visitors and hotel stays, which informed the larger award.

Why it matters: Hotel/motel–tax–funded tourism grants are intended to boost visitor spending and support events that attract out-of-town visitors. The council’s approvals commit budgeted tourism funds to the listed events; final disbursement will follow city finance procedures.

Details: Both grants were approved by motion, second and roll-call vote. The transcript records the grant amounts and event months; the council identified the funding source as the fiscal-year-2026 hotel/motel budget appropriated for tourism.

Discussion vs. decision: The meeting contained brief discussion about allocation rationale (estimated lodging impact) but no public opposition recorded. The council approved both grants during the business portion of the meeting.