Tourism dist. Would give city chance to promote

The format ion of a Tourism Business Improvement District would increase funds available to market Havre to others, and four hotels, along with the Havre Area Chamber of Commerce, are asking the city to do just that. Currently, the Chamber through its tourism committee promotes Havre on a budget averaging between $1,000 and $3,000, s a i d D e b b i e Vandeberg, the Chamber's executive director. "And we feel t h a t we h ave missed opportunit ies," she told Pl a n n i n g a n d Development Committee members during a meeting Tuesday. The TownHouse Inn, Great Northern Best Western Inn, AmericInn and the Super 8 will be the four participating hotels. A $1-per-rental assessment will be added onto visitors' bills. Those funds will then be available to be spent as the local motel association sees fit to promote the area. Other lodging establishments in the city were offered the option, but several of them declined and some have not made a decision yet, Vandeberg said. No hotels would be forced to join the endeavor, but can join at any time, she added. The hope is to have an ordinance change approved and read for the first time at Monday's City Council meeting and have all the necessary steps completed to create the district by June 1. The commi t tee unanimous l y approved to bring a recommendation before full Council Monday that the district be created. The Chamber also expects to receive an estimated $18,000 to $20,000 in a separate bed tax from the state. Because of recent annexation of several properties, the city is eligible to create a Convention and Visitor's Bureau through the state. The process has begun and approval is expected in June. Those funds must be spent to promote Havre out-of-state.