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Tri‑county workshop advances dark‑sky tourism, lighting retrofits and branding push
Summary
County and city leaders, business owners and residents at a Sept. 30 workshop discussed dark‑sky protections, vendor-supported fixture retrofits, stadium‑lighting shielding and a marketing push to brand the region as a dark‑sky destination.
At a joint workshop Sept. 30, 2025, Mercer County commissioners, city officials and residents focused on promoting the area’s “dark skies” as a tourism draw while balancing safety and the cost of retrofitting outdoor lighting.
Participants emphasized that dark‑sky branding and practical steps — fixture lists in permitting, vendor outreach and stadium‑light shielding pilots — are needed to turn interest into overnight stays and business revenue. County and city officials and civic partners described technical fixes such as shielding and lower‑temperature bulbs and urged incentives and education so businesses and residents adopt darker, more compliant fixtures.
The discussion included several examples of ongoing local work and potential next steps. Randall Kinsey, a Fort Davis business owner…
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