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Committee approves $50,000 tourism grant for Manchester ballfields
Summary
The Budget & Finance committee approved two $50,000 awards from tourism funds—one to the city of Manchester—to support expansion and maintenance of baseball/softball fields that county staff said host multi-day tournaments and generate lodging revenue.
The Coffee County Budget & Finance committee approved a tourism‑fund allocation of $50,000 to the city of Manchester to help expand and maintain baseball and softball fields that attract travel tournaments and overnight visitors.
A county official relayed a request from Jeff Damron, Manchester’s newly hired city administrator (formerly interim city administrator), saying the city had approved roughly $800,000 in local investment and expected an additional $400,000 grant; the tourism contribution would help the fields reach playable capacity for regional tournaments.
"Last year they hosted 26 travel baseball and softball tournaments. They expect over 30 this year," the official said, explaining that tournament visitors use motels and generate economic activity. The committee moved and seconded a pair of $50,000 allocations from tourism funds (not general fund), and members approved the motion by voice vote.
Committee members emphasized that tourism money is restricted by resolution to tourism or economic‑development uses and said the awards would not affect the general‑fund bottom line. The committee did not specify further reporting requirements beyond the standard grant/award process.
The tourism awards were approved at the committee level and will be reflected in the budget materials forwarded to the full commission.
