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Carter County tourism office reports rising outreach; city names developer for extended‑stay hotel
Summary
County tourism staff reported paid advertising, event sponsorships and a year‑long online feature to the commission and said a hotel feasibility study has produced a selected developer for an extended‑stay hotel pending TIF language updates with the city.
Representatives from county tourism and city staff told the Carter County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday that recent marketing and events have boosted visitor interest and that a developer has been selected for an extended‑stay hotel on a city‑owned parcel in Elizabethton.
The tourism representative told commissioners the Chamber’s recent campaigns — paid features in regional outlets, search‑engine and social advertising, and sponsorships of local events — produced tens of thousands of impressions, several thousand website clicks and an estimated short‑term increase in hotel room nights tied to sporting events. The Chamber representative also reminded commissioners that the county’s one‑year contract with the Chamber will end in about nine months and asked for guidance on hotel‑motel tax allocations to avoid interrupting ongoing advertising and annual contracts.
The update matters because sustained marketing and event sponsorships rely on predictable hotel‑motel tax funding, and the county and city are both involved in an active hotel feasibility project. City staff said the feasibility study is complete and a developer has been selected for a piece of property between a local car wash and the Stowaway in Elizabethton for an extended‑stay hotel. The city and developer are finalizing tax increment financing (TIF) language with the city attorney before the project moves forward.
Chamber materials noted recent activity that included the Music and Miles half marathon (more than 300 participants), the Carter County Omnium bike events (more than 120 racers), paid editorial placements with Our State and a Nashville‑based online travel outlet, and ongoing paid search and social campaigns. The Chamber estimated event‑driven room nights for recent events (a small‑event estimate of about 75 room nights for the Omnium) and projected longer‑term visitor returns but acknowledged some survey results were not yet available.
City staff said some advertising and brochure distribution are annual commitments and that early clarity on hotel‑motel tax allocations would help preserve planned outreach. The Chamber representative also noted the one‑year contract will not renew automatically and encouraged commissioners to decide on funding before spring budget deadlines.
No formal county vote on the hotel project or on Chamber contracting was recorded at the meeting; city officials said they are updating TIF language and will move the development forward once legal language is finalized.
Commissioners asked about hotel feasibility and capacity to attract overnight visitors. City staff confirmed a developer was selected and that the site is currently city property; they said progress now depends on completing TIF language with city legal counsel.
The tourism representative offered to provide follow‑up information and to meet with commissioners about mid‑March hotel‑motel tax planning and the details of advertising or distribution contracts.
