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EDA hears Tourism report; Explore Middlesex app to expand into business directory
Summary
Tourism staff reported strong Restaurant Week results and outlined plans to expand the Explore Middlesex app into a business directory with a kayak reservation feature tied to Virginia's River Realm.
Tourism/Marketing staff (Ms. Law) reported that the recent Restaurant Week generated significant traction through paid and unpaid marketing, and that participating restaurants reported notable increases in business. Ms. Law said Virginia's River Realm will host another "Insider Session" in April in Middlesex (the previous session was in Kilmarnock) and that the Drive tourism Kayak program will include an online reservation system, probably linked through the Virginia's River Realm website and listed on Explore Middlesex.
Ms. Law outlined plans to expand the Explore Middlesex app into an all-in-one business directory and resource hub, including a business showcase, guides on starting a business, information on grant and loan programs, and aggregated contact pages for local businesses. Mr. Collamore thanked the EDA during public comment for support and highlighted the app's role in attracting tourists.
