Gage County officials discuss tourism structure, in the county

BEATRICE – Gage County officials have approved a 90-day notice to the Beatrice Area Chamber of Commerce to open discussions on the tourism contract in the county.

One board member raised the possibility of changes in that arrangement. Currently, the tourism director is based with the Beatrice Chamber of Commerce.  Supervisor Rex Adams suggested looking at moving that to the economic development organization, NGage. He noted that the organization’s executive director was recently named to the Nebraska Tourism Commission, representing southeast Nebraska.

"That's where I'm at. I just think if we've got a lot of publicity behind that...the economic development director is going to be involved with tourism through the whole southeast district, it only makes sense, in my opinion, to have that housed under that department."

Recently, Gage County Tourism Director Dakota Hurley resigned to take a position with NGage. Beatrice Area Chamber Executive Angie Bruna attended the county supervisors meeting along with two members of the chamber of commerce board.

Bruna says there’s been a long standing partnership with Gage County to administer tourism services….of over 20 years. The hired tourism coordinator has 75-percent of their salary paid from tourism, along with 25-percent toward Bruna's salary….the equivalent of one full-time position.

"When you referenced southeast Nebraska representation, we already have a strong presence, I would say, in addition to Rachel's (Kreikemeier) new appointment with the Nebraska Tourism Commission. For the entirety of my time as executive director, I've been serving on the executive board for the Southeast Nebraska Tourism Council...I've been the treasurer for that group. So, we get together and meeting regionally and plan efforts. We're also active members of the Nebraska Travel Association...and that group advocates for tourism throughout the State of Nebraska. We're also active with the Byway 136 Association. That group hosts the Trail of Treasures every year, so we're very active, already."

Lodging tax revenue Gage County receives helps with tourism marketing and provides funding for tourist attraction improvements. The marketing part includes local, regional and national advertising buys.
Bruna acknowledged that tourism is part of economic development, but that the chamber is also about economic development.

"We focus more on that community development side, so we all have to be partners working together anyway. And, we all work together closely on projects, as it fits. So, I don't know that there is an issue with the way things are set up, at this time."

Bruna says events like Homestead Days and the Holiday Parade are attraction events bringing tourists into the area. She said she wasn’t aware until Tuesday that the discussion about the tourism director position would come up. Adams said it is discussion only, at this point.

"It's opening the discussion, is what it is. And, I'm one of these....these guys are starting to know, that I question things. And, I don't have a problem with it when we're accountable to people who are asking us things. That where it's at. It's worth discussing."

Gage County Board Chairman Erich Tiemann says the county has three successful organizations…the Chamber, NGage and Main Street Beatrice….something that many other communities do not have. He views the 90-day notice as a formality, to hold discussion.