V. Hugh Lewis II/Jefferson Jimplecute
The Jefferson Convention and Visitors Bureau approved requesting the Jefferson City Council’s approval to pursue the City seeking to become a Texas Governor’s Music Friendly Community during Monday nights regular meeting.
Only a limited number of cities have this designation, and, according to the website, “Participation in the Texas Music Office’s “Music Friendly Community” program provides Texas communities with a network for fostering music industry development, and sends a clear message to industry professionals that certified communities are serious about attracting and developing music industry growth.”
East Texas Performing Arts board Member Preston Taylor proposed the City join this program several months ago and the board has been researching it since. According to the website, the program seeks to foster music business economic development in Texas cities and communities.
If approved by Council at their June meeting, the Tourism Board would begin the process of becoming a certified “Music Friendly Community.”
“This is a really good idea and we need to move forward,” said board member Pam Thomas via zoom connection.
In other business, the board reported revenues of $9,872.52 from March HOT and approximately $14,000 for April. However, the city received revenues from other Cities in April and the final figures are not available yet after those revenues are returned. The City partners with Avenu Insight to collect the HOT from city lodging establishments.
Board President Colleen Taylor provided a brief update on her meetings with the Marion County Chamber of Commerce on creating a common calendar for all events, siteing that Tammy Doriot had added a link to the Chamber’s calendar to the City’s website.
Taylor also said the upcoming Pioneer Days event spearheaded by Opera House Theatre Players founder Marcia Thomas has been changed to a one day event instead of a weekend event.
Thomas distributed to the board, via email, the latest monthly web statistics on the City’s advertising, and said they could either discuss it at the next meeting or send her questions via email.
Taylor also indicated there were only six weekends available for the Visitors Center building rental through the end of the year.
The board will meet again on June 14, 2021.