Westfir considers adopting Oak Ridge tourism grant rules, reserves set-aside discussed

Councilors reviewed a draft tourism grant application the Oak Ridge committee recently adopted and discussed using a tailored version for Westfir. The Oak Ridge approach includes maximum first-year awards and stepped-down support in subsequent years (Oak Ridge used a $4,000 first-year maximum in the example discussed); Westfir members agreed the form should be adjusted to local scale and that quarterly review deadlines and an after-action report requirement would help ensure accountability.

Members discussed setting aside a reserve—Oak Ridge held back $10,000 this year—to allow the committee to fund larger, longer-term infrastructure projects or matching grants. Councilors also discussed the role of a regional marketing coordinator; members noted Vanessa Tharp’s work for Oak Ridge (described as paid from RTMP funds) and asked her to submit an application if Westfir should consider contributing to that role. The council asked staff to adapt the Oak Ridge template (including suggested maximums, reporting requirements and deadlines) and return it for approval.

Speakers (attribution whitelist): [ {"name":"Councilor","role_title":"Councilor","affiliation_type":"government","first_reference":{"block_id_start":"SEG 061"}}, {"name":"Councilor Cheatham (Dylan)","role_title":"Councilor","affiliation_type":"government","first_reference":{"block_id_start":"SEG 147"}}, {"name":"Mayor Watson","role_title":"Mayor","affiliation_type":"government","first_reference":{"block_id_start":"SEG 001"}} ]

provenance: {"topicintro":[{"block_id_start":"SEG 736","block_id_end":"SEG 736","evidence_excerpt":"For the next 1, it's, I wanted to talk about guidelines for the rural tourism and marketing program."}],"topfinish":[{"block_id_start":"SEG 1516","block_id_end":"SEG 1516","evidence_excerpt":"I will update this, Nicole, and send it over to you."}]}.