Rhea County tourism director seeks joint city–county bid to host 2027 rural conference

Alex, the county tourism director, asked the commission to support a joint city–county bid to host the 2027 Rural Tourism Conference, saying the event would draw about 200–250 attendees and require venue rental, two evening meals, snacks for tours and other expenses. "So the rural tourism conference is something Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee model cities and communities come together once a year and talk about all things rural tourism," Alex said, and distributed a draft bid packet with high-end estimates to ensure coverage if attendance reached 250.

Alex said the cost estimate in the draft was intended to be conservative and flagged venue capacity as a major constraint in Rhea County: "that's part of the cost that you'll see" and several local churches and gymnasiums lack the seating, table and food-service capacity to host the event. Commissioners raised the possibility of splitting costs with the city of Dayton; Alex recommended a joint approach, noting the bid’s competitiveness and the May 29 state submission deadline.

Questions at the meeting focused on the budget split and who would be responsible for funding lines. A commissioner asked whether a grant option could reduce the county’s $20,000 share; staff replied that a grant opportunity was not identified in the discussion and that the deadline gives only a year for planning. The chair directed staff to place the conference bid on the May workshop agenda so county and city officials can plan jointly and refine the venue and funding options.

If the commission advances the bid at the May workshop, staff said it will provide clearer line-item funding and coordinate with Dayton on a single joint package for the state selection process.