Dear Chamber Member: We are pleased to share the following news from the Jackson County Tourism Development Authority and the Southwestern Commission Regional Planning Organization:
LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITY: Your personal participation is needed to represent an industry critical to Cashiers Area economic growth. There are two open South Jackson County board positions on the Jackson County Tourism Development Authority. Industry representatives qualify as board member candidates if they represent a “Lodging Property in South Jackson County with 10 or more rooms (proposed)” OR a “Home Rental/Condo/Timeshare/Vehicular Campsite (if they collect tax).” They must also be voting residents and/or taxpayers of the County OR employees of a Jackson County business that collects Jackson County Occupancy Tax or pays Jackson County Property Tax.
Board member responsibilities include monthly meeting attendance and strategic decisionmaking leadership in the County’s destination marketing efforts. Funds for JCTDA activities are generated by the overnight occupancy taxes remitted by accommodations. The FY2016-2017 budget was more than $950,000 and includes advertising, public relations, social media, visitor center operations and more.
Please indicate your interest and willingness to serve in this important tourism industry role to Stephanie Edwards, Executive Director, Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce/Jackson County Visitor Center at Cashiers at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 828-7435191. Nominations will be submitted in the near future to JCTDA Board and then to the Jackson County Board of Commissioners for official appointment.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITY/TOURISM: The 2017-2018 JCTDA grant process is now open! Communities, non-profit organizations and county municipalities may submit the application form online: http://www.DiscoverJacksonNC.com/onlinegrantapp. or download a PDF version at: http://www.DiscoverJacksonNC.com/printablegrantapp.pdf Deadline for submission is April 1, 2017 and any monies awarded will be available after June 30th. See more details online at the link above. Please share this information with other tourism industry stakeholders.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITY/ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: The Southwestern Commission is accepting grant applications for up to $10,000 to support community-based efforts to adapt and implement tools from the 2014 Opt-In Regional Visioning Final Report (available at www.regiona.org). The Opt-In Implementation Fund, funded by the Appalachian Regional Commission, offers a mini-grant program to local governments and 501(c)3 non-profit organizations. Grants must meet ARC-match requirements and support ARC strategic plan goals and state strategy. Deadline for submission is March 3rd.
We encourage your involvement in these opportunity and hope you will find this helpful.
Thank you for your interest.