Great River Road coordinator says Ballard County tourism generated about $6.1 million in 2024

Lindsey, the county’s Great River Road coordinator, told the Ballard County Fiscal Court that Ballard’s tourism economic impact for 2024 was approximately $6,100,000. She said the four‑county Great River Road region totaled about $21.7 million and cited a statewide figure of roughly $14.3 billion reported by the state tourism office.

Lindsey reviewed completed projects funded in part by ARPA and byway funds, including wayfinding signage that earned a byway enhancement award and marketing honors tied to the April solar eclipse. She described a mural in Wickliffe funded by a mix of Mississippi River Parkway Commission funds, the City of Wickliffe and Jackson Purchase Energy, and listed recent marketing efforts — e.g., ads in visitor guides, a social media takeover with Kentucky Tourism, and a motorcycle magazine feature. She said the office has produced four “Taste the Great River” restaurant videos that have received about 35,000 views.

Looking ahead, Lindsey said the office is pursuing a multi‑group grant for regional events such as Civil War Days and is planning a free Bluegrass Music Festival in Columbus for next June, to be funded largely by sponsorships and some local dollars. She presented the annual dues invoice for the court’s consideration and offered to answer questions on specific marketing products after the meeting.