By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com

The possibility of a county-wide tourism bureau was a central point of discussion at a joint meeting of the Bucyrus Finance and Economic Development committees Tuesday.

Bucyrus Visitor and Tourism Director Barb Glowaski, Gary Frankhouse of Economic Development of Crawford County, and Debbi Gifford of Crawford: 20/20 Vision made the presentation.

The outlined plan for a single bureau would include combining the finances of the Bucyrus and Galion tourism bureaus in an effort to bring in more funds for more marketing opportunities.

The proposal for a Crawford County Visitor’s and Tourism Bureau included two offices with one office in the current office of the Bucyrus Visitor’s and Tourism Bureau. A combined bureau would use the current staff of both bureaus.

Also proposed by Frankhouse during the meeting was the construction of a $3.75 million sport and entertainment complex. One of the stated benefits of such a facility would be to attract tournaments such as indoor soccer or volleyball into the area.

According to Frankhouse an endowment from an estate set aside for sports and recreation is available to the city of Galion in which $450,000 to $480,000 would be available over a 10-year period which would go towards estimated $3.75 million price tag. Frankhouse said that other avenues for revenue for the project would go through sponsorships and other properties.

Frankhouse said although the move would be a step back financially at first, if successful the facility would be two steps forward including a new hotel in Galion as well as the possibility for more restaurants.

According to Gifford the city currently receives $40,000 per year for the Knights Inn and Bob Evans restaurant not including income tax.

Glowaski said that they have been able to keep track of numbers spent on visitors who come through the bureau by visiting other businesses in the area and take a sample of what had been spent by tours that have come through the businesses.

“In 2014 there were 57 tours with an estimated $80,397 spent from 3,551 visitors,” Glowaski said.

Glowaski mentioned that through a county tourism bureau the county could apply for a Local Government Innovation Fund which carries a 10-percent payback in order to carry some of the overhead.

“I haven’t really gotten into it yet, but it could pay for rent of the bureau offices, computers, laptops, as well as other overhead for the group,” Glowaski said.

Glowaski mentioned that if combined a brochure could be placed in more travel centers in plazas, rest stops, as well as have a presence at trade shows.

Frankhouse also spoke of interest into pursuing the idea of a Port Authority within the county which could then bring in more jobs to Crawford County from within the state.

The Bucyrus committees proposed that the group gather more information and meet again at a future meeting.

“I think this has a lot of potential for the county,” Bucyrus City Council President Sis Love said. “But there is a lot to think over and discuss.”