Austin Lewter/Jefferson Jimplecute
The Jefferson Tourism Development Board reported an exponential year-over- year increase in website traffic at their regular meeting Monday night.
“Website traffic was up 14% in May over April and 19% year-over-year,” board member Pam Thomas reported. “We had a very busy May.”
According to Thomas, the recent approval Mainstreet Commercial Co-op program is in the production stage. She said the end result will be 120 more (30 second) television commercials in the Ark-La-Tex market between July and December.
“They should go live the end of July,” Thomas said, “and run for six months.”
Other advertising initiatives include an ad in the next issue of Discover Jefferson and Marion County.
Thomas also reported that News 6, out of Tulsa, recently came to town to do a travel segment which aired across the state of Oklahoma on Wednesday and Texas Monthly reporters have recently been spotted in town.
A story about Jefferson is expected in their July issue.
“We are currently 61% thought this year’s budget,” Board president Colleen Taylor said. “So we’re right on track and revenue is around $130,000 for the year.”
In other business, Taylor told the board that repairs were currently underway to the lights on the Jefferson Howe Railroad Trestle.
“We are shooting to have our red, white and blue lights up and going by the 4th of July,” Taylor said.
She also updated the board on a forthcoming revised use agreement for Transportation Building rentals.
The new terms will include increased rental fees and should be ready for the board to approve and send on to the City Council in July.
At the top of the meeting, the board received and update from Bob Thomas on Windows to History Project.
Thomas said the project team is close to placing order on two first two windows at Riverfront Park. Artwork, created by Jeffersonian Howard Blatch has been approved.