Travel and Tourism Board discusses CARES Act

At the November Travel and Tourism Board meeting, Treasurer Matt Hughes released his financial report. For the month ending in October, they collected $30,267.83 from the lodging tax, and they received $8493.65 from CARES Act funds in that time. Hot Springs County has been performing over other destinations and is one of the top-performing counties in Wyoming. Hot Springs County had only 12% down from last year compared to the Wyoming average of 31%. They outperformed Fremont, Teton and Park Counties. For the past four months ending in October, they collected $60,323.24 in lodging tax revenue. 

Hughes said that regarding the CARES Act funds that director Jackie Dorothy is working very hard to make sure all the CARES money is spent before the end of the year, which is the requirement. 

One of the areas for compliance to be completed is the board needs to have an official investment policy. The board discussed this and agreed to find other counties and see their specific language for their investment policy and see if they want to adopt them. The board holds a money market account for interest at a very low rate. This is the board’s only investment.  Even though this is small they are regulated to make an investment policy. 

Another area they are working on for compliance is the December 16 board meeting. The board will meet as a public hearing and it will be done through Zoom. This will be open to anyone who wants to hear about the board’s budget, CARES Acts funds and carryover funds. 

In Dorothy’s director’s report, she said, “The CARES Act Funds are nearly spent. We are on schedule with the projects and are having an impact with our campaigns. Facebook and Instagram show that our main engaged demographics are older women with disposable incomes. Our Hot Springs Wyoming campaign has garnered positive attention and recognition from the Wyoming Office of Tourism.” 

Dorothy also reported that “The Hot Springs State Park is asking that we partner with them to test the mineral hot springs for their healing factors, especially as it pertains to COVID.” The total test would cost $9,500 and the State Parks are hoping the board can help defray some of the cost. Chairman Carl Leyba suggested they consider $2,500 but not the entire amount. Dorothy will be working with Superintendent Kevin Skates on securing the necessary funds.

She said, “This test could be vital to our community and to tourism as a whole.” Dorothy said that if they could prove that our mineral hot springs are actually healing and can help with COVID, even the medical community would benefit. The board passed a motion approving to spend funds to help do the testing study. 

The County Commissioners have also asked for a partnership. Dorothy has been working with them on the marketing feasibility study for the old airport property.

Rocky Mountain Lodging Report’s Bob Benton has suggested that they make a comparison of that property and the Days Inn Property to show the viability of a new convention center in Thermopolis. The original study was $13,000 and the additional cost would be approximately $2,000 depending on the amount of detail requested in the final data.

With budget shortfalls, the commissioners are hoping they could pay this additional cost since the study would benefit tourism. The board passed a motion for the partnership under an administrative line item. The study will be public information for others to use and promote tourism. 

Dorothy said that the streaming cameras in the state park are nearly up. They are waiting on a switcher to finalize the installation, and RT is standing by to program the cameras. The three cameras have been placed at the old boat lounge, the heat exchange building and facing the teepee fountain. According to Kevin Skates, the teepee fountain is the most popular feature of the park. 

Hot Springs County has also made national news in Travel and Leisure. They announced the top 10 hot springs and said that the State Park was listed high on the list. Dorothy said we will use this information to promote the county. She said, “We are not only Wyoming’s hot springs but also America’s best hot springs.” 

In old business, Dorothy reported that the Lodging Tax passed in the election with over 80% who said “Yes.” She also said that AdBay is under new ownership and that she has not heard from them. However, they are still sending an official termination letter to them. 

Dorothy presented a tourism magazine where they finished the design and it will be printing this coming weekend after their board meeting. 

Jeb Schenck of Schenck Photography presented three 30-second commercial video spots for the CARES Act Fall/Winter campaign. These videos showed the County Museum, the Wyoming Dinosaur Center, One Eyed Buffalo and the TeePee and Star Plunge pools. Additionally, the images featured beautiful vistas of the State Park and the buffalo pasture. The voiceover invited tourists to come to visit the area even in the off-seasons and enjoy the county. 

In the open floor discussion, board member Bob Roos said he wants to return to the Berkley Young Report in January. Dorothy and Leyba agreed and said they will bring that back up after the holidays. Dorothy explained that over the Halloween holiday Berkely became ill with COVID and is recovering. She will contact him and start working on that again.