Jefferson County Board of Tourism approves minutes and treasurer's report; hears updates on Ohio Theatre and tourism trends
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Summary
The board approved the minutes and a treasurer's report (including a $4,338.76 marketing claim), heard that the Friends of the Ohio Theatre completed ADA and floor work and hired a coordinator, and received a VMI briefing showing mixed 2025 occupancy trends and concerns about social‑media reporting after April flooding.
The Jefferson County Board of Tourism on Tuesday approved its minutes and the treasurer's report and heard multiple program updates, including a grant‑funded renovation at the Ohio Theatre and a VMI presentation on 2025 visitation data.
A motion to accept the minutes as presented was made and seconded; the motion carried. The treasurer's report indicated a January cash balance of $72,353.84 and noted a marketing claim from BMI for $4,338.76. A motion to approve the treasurer's report and the VMI claim was made and carried (mover and seconder not specified in the transcript).
Friends of the Ohio Theatre reported completing a $78,000 project to repair the floor and add ADA access and said $50,000 previously allocated was used to hire a new events coordinator. The board also received a presentation from VMI summarizing 2025 trends: hotels were down roughly 1% in occupancy, Airbnbs down about 3%, while July–December performance helped bolster the year overall.
Board members discussed local factors that influenced the numbers, including group bookings and a historic flood in April that some members said affected visitation. One member urged better coordination on social‑media messaging after images of flooding circulated and prompted calls asking whether Madison was closed.
The board did not take further formal action on the VMI data beyond accepting the report; presenters said a fuller annual report will follow in March or April.
