Alva committee approves $2,500 to host Lieutenant Governor’s turkey hunt

The Alva Economic Development Committee voted to approve a $2,500 funding request to help host the Lieutenant Governor’s turkey hunt, a three-day recruitment and tourism event that committee presenters said is intended to promote economic development in the region.

Jeremy Zeller, who presented the request, told the committee the money is intended primarily to cover hotel rooms for invited guests, including site selectors and consultants. “It generally is between that 1,500 to 2,000 range depending on guests,” Zeller said; he added that his current request was for $2,500.

Zeller said the event typically draws consultants and site selectors who visit local business and development sites during the three-day program, and that previous visits have supported recruitment and retention efforts. “It’s for recruitments, but it’s also for the retention. So it’ll just all around help get the name out there of the Northwest,” he said.

Zeller said the lieutenant governor’s visit is expected to include a workshop for local businesses, tours of local industry and development sites, and a lieutenant governor’s dinner. He told the committee the event would likely take place April 15, 2026, or the following week, pending final confirmation from organizers.

Committee members recorded unanimous approval of the funding request. Committee staff and Zeller agreed the committee will need the completed funds-request form before the expense is processed; Zeller said he would submit the form the next day.

Committee members noted the economic-development goal of linking the event to recruitment for the Avar Rail Park and other local opportunities. Zeller said the city’s economic development committee would cover hotel costs for staff from the city who attend, while the committee’s approved funds would cover invited guests.