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ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: May 16, 2000 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No. <br />SUBJECT_ Travel and Tourism/Economic Development Support Proposal _,_ <br />DEPARTMENT: County Commissioners PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No <br />ATTACHMENT(S): <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Moses Carey, Chair <br />None <br />TELEPHONE NUMBERS: <br />Hillsborough 732-8181 <br />Chapel Hill 968501 <br />Durham fi88-7331 <br />Mebane 336-227-2031 <br />PURPOSE: To consider Orange County's possible support of a North Carolina travel and <br />tourism/economic development promotional event on July 4, 2000 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. <br />BACKGROUND: The United States Ambassador to Canada, the Honorable Gordon D. Griffin, <br />has invited the State of North Carolina to be the host for the largest 4'" of July celebration <br />outside the U.S. This event is billed as the highlight of an entire week's activities in Ontario in <br />celebration of July 4"', and over 5,000 attendees are expected. It is understood that this event <br />will be the subject of substantial media coverage across Canada. Numerous entities across <br />North Carolina, including businesses and local governments, are being contacted and asked to <br />provide support for this event. With the event being the largest 4"' of July celebration outside <br />the U.S., North Carolina's hosting of this celebration will promote North Carolina to attendees as <br />well as to a substantial number of other Canadians and likely encourage interest in the state <br />from both travel and tourism and economic development perspectives. Numbers indicate that <br />300,000 Canadians chose North Carolina as a travel destination last year, and it is expected <br />that this event will grow that number. It is should be noted that Sam Hobgood of Hillsborough <br />has agreed to spearhead the organization and planning related to North Carolina's hosting of <br />this event. <br />The Board discussed this item at its April 4, 2000 regular meeting and asked the County <br />Manager to meet with County Attorney Geof Gledhill, Economic Development Director Dianne <br />Reid, and Visitors Bureau Director Joe Blake to discuss the proposal. It has been determined <br />that support of this activity can encompass a public purpose and that the county may want to <br />support this event as part of its economic development activities. It is important to note that <br />neither the Economic Development Department nor the Visitors Bureau maintain budgeted <br />funds for supporting events of this caliber. <br />FINANCIAL IMPACT: Any financial impact is dependent upon the Board's level of interest in <br />participation. The Board may wish to consider allocating up to $5,000 in matching funds from <br />