Superior tourism panel awards grants
Apr. 22—SUPERIOR — The Tourism Development Commission approved its first round of grants since taking over tourism promotion in 2022.
The grants, approved Monday, April 21, give $20,000 for promoting the
Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival,
$1,200 in support
Grandma's Marathon Superior Nightmare 5K,
and $24,000 toward a master bike trail plan for Superior.
The grants are funded by taxes paid by lodging facilities and are designated to be used for tourism promotion.
"We thought that these are what TDC (the Tourism Development Commission) was developed for," said Councilor Ruth Ludwig, a tourism commissioner and member of the Parks & Recreation Committee.
The Parks & Recreation Committee originally considered the grant applications for funding through the city's recreational grant program, but sent the applications to the Tourism Development Commission for funding instead.
"Dragon boats, of course, brings lots of people from outside the area to town," Ludwig said. "Superior trails, these funds will be matched by an international association to develop biking trails within our city. That could potentially be a really good draw to our community. Grandma's Marathon with the 5K is a wonderful addition to our Spooktacular celebration ... I think every one of these three things are exactly what would tourism dollars should be targeted for."
The Superior Rotary Club hosts the Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival on the last full weekend in August on Barker's Island.
Superior Rotary member Dan Blank said over the last two years, the organization has spent less on marketing but has traditionally reached out to communities including Twin Cities, on the Iron Range, Ashland, Bayfield, Rice Lake and Eau Claire to promote the event that draws teams of paddlers from multiple states and Canada and the Twin Cities, Blank said.
"I'm in favor of support," Commissioner Pattie Soliday said. "I think this is an excellent event."
However, Soliday said she would like to see the marketing plan as well as the impact of the event on hotel occupancy rates if the Rotary seeks funding again next year.
The
Cyclists of Gitchee Gumee Shores
entered into an agreement with the city last year to collaborate on the development of a trails master plan. COGGS agreed to spearhead fundraising efforts and seek private funds to develop the plan to create natural surface trails in the Superior Municipal Forest and crosstown connecting trails.
"So, a bunch of us amateur bike riders who load our bikes up and go to Duluth to ride the trails ... thought 'come on Superior, we have got to hop on the bandwagon,'" Blank said. "We've got the municipal forest. We've got a lot of green space in the city that we can interconnect. So, people in neighborhoods and families can get some outdoor, fresh air, healthy mind, body, spirit experiences without having to have a bike rack or trailer."
After raising about $6,000 to support matching funds, Blank said the $20,000 grant COGGS was seeking would support the $30,000 match the organization would have to provide for a $30,000 grant to have the International Mountain Bike Association create a master plan for Superior.
Mayor Jim Paine endorsed the application despite having initial reservations about making trails in the Superior Municipal Forest. Paine traveled to Knoxville, Tennessee, last year and saw a trail system in a forest similar in size to Superior.
"Seeing the trails in real life completed in Knoxville really changed my mind 100%," Paine said. "... I really think this would be one of Superior's biggest tourism draws."
Soliday proposed increasing the grant to $24,000 to fill the entire funding gap. Commissioners approved amending the request.
The grant for the
Superior Nightmare 5K
will cover less than 10% of anticipated expenses.
The annual run/walk and costume contest takes place in October and raises funds for the Young Athletes Foundation. Nearly 600 people participated last year.
Ludwig said the funding won't support the parade and other activities planned for Spooktacular. She said those requests could come later.
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