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Sawyer County hears tourism, extension and trail updates; room tax slightly down
Summary
Hayward Lakes Visitors and University of Wisconsin Extension briefed the board on upcoming events, marketing efforts and camp registration deadlines; the room tax for the first quarter was reported down about $10,000 (roughly 5%). The county also reviewed motorized-trail signage and the May 16 ATV access decision.
Visitors-bureau and extension staff provided routine program updates at the Sawyer County board meeting, highlighting summer events, camp registration deadlines and a small drop in room-tax receipts.
Sherry from the Hayward Lakes Visitors and Convention Bureau told the board that registration for area events such as Muskyfest and ATV season are under way and that the state is reintroducing a film tax incentive that could bring productions and visitor business to Wisconsin. She said the bureau spends about $3,000 on membership in ITBEC (International Trade, Business and Economic Council) and that she spends considerable volunteer time supporting regional marketing. "If they have a movie that comes to town ... then I would blast that out to our members," she said.
Sherry also reported that room-tax checks she received for the first quarter are down by about $10,000 — she estimated that equals roughly a 5% decline — while acknowledging some local municipalities and hotels showed different trends. The county noted that community fundraisers and tournaments continue to drive visitation: an organizer reported 1,600 bikers at recent races and more than 6,000 registrants already signed up for next year's Brookie event.
An Extension educator (speaker listed as the University of Wisconsin Extension presenter) urged members to publicize summer camps (Trails End Camp and combined county camps) and shared a handout summarizing local extension activities, including aquatic-invasive-species work with the Quiet Lakes Group. The planner's packet also highlighted a household hazardous-waste event at the fairgrounds on Sept. 25.
The chair read a written motorized-trail report (Kathy LaRue) that noted the county board's May 16 vote to open county roads outside the Lac Courte Oreilles reservation to ATV use; the alliance said roads will not be legal to ride on until signage is installed. The alliance expects to post the signing and notify the public when routes are legally open.
What happens next: staff and bureau representatives will continue outreach around camps and tourism promotions; trail signs will be installed and the alliance will announce formal opening once signage is in place.
