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Ottawa Bike and Trail asks Franklin County for tourism sponsorship as events grow
Summary
Jeff Carroll, owner of Ottawa Bike and Trail, told commissioners the county already attracts riders via the Flint Hills and Prairie Spirit trails and requested county tourism sponsorship for promotional ads and event videos to grow signature events such as the Moonrise Bike Ride and Bad Astra gravel race.
Jeff Carroll, owner of Ottawa Bike and Trail, told the Franklin County commissioners on Jan. 28 that the county is already a regional cycling destination because two Hall of Fame trails (Prairie Spirit and Flint Hills) intersect in the county. Carroll said his shop hosts weekly rides, signature events including the Moonrise Bike Ride and the Bad Astra gravel race, and that about 90% of recent participants came from outside Franklin County.
"I am Jeff Carroll. I'm the owner of Ottawa Bike and Trail," Carroll said, and he described growing registrations, expanded volunteer capacity and a social-media strategy that, he said, has produced significant interest. Carroll asked the board for tourism sponsorship to pay for social-media promotion, video production and advertising on regional outlets to attract riders and overnight stays to support local businesses.
Carroll estimated recent Moonrise participation at roughly 250–280 riders, and said the shop’s goal for the coming year is about 350 participants for that event and higher targets for the Bad Astra race with additional promotion. Commissioners asked scheduling and operational questions (dates were given as late May for one event) and thanked Carroll for the presentation. No formal appropriation or commitment for sponsorship was made during the meeting; Carroll said paperwork for tourism sponsorship had been submitted.
