FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For more information, contact:
Valeria Davis, 608/266-2147, vdavis@travelwisconsin.com
Jackie Harrison-Jewell, 608/873-7912, visitorservices@stoughtonwi.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TOURISM SECRETARY ANNOUNCES $33,504 GRANT TO PROMOTE VIBRANT HISTORIC DOWNTOWNS
Joint Effort Marketing program provides funds to market downtown Stoughton, Fort Atkinson, Watertown, Delafield, West Bend and Oconomowoc as destinations
STOUGHTON, Wis. (Aug. 31, 2005) -- Wisconsin Tourism Deputy Secretary Jim Holperin today announced a $33,504 destination marketing grant to help bring more visitors to the vibrant and historic downtowns of Stoughton, Fort Atkinson, Watertown, Delafield, West Bend and Oconomowoc. The boost in marketing is expected to bring an additional $209,000 to the region's economy.
"History in the Making -- A Tour of Vibrant Southeast Wisconsin Main Streets" will entice travelers to enjoy the shopping, architecture, heritage and cultural settings of classic Midwest downtowns during the clean, crisp days of fall. South central Wisconsin is rich in communities that have successfully retained and restored their historic central commercial districts where travelers can explore this American tradition.
"Nothing salutes America's heartland better than the resurgence of historic downtowns," said State Tourism Secretary Jim Holperin. "These commercial centers embody the identity and history of many communities and we're proud to have a number of these gems in south central Wisconsin, which still serve a role in our growing and sometimes impersonal world."
Travelers spend more than $3.7 billion a year shopping in Wisconsin and another $5.8 billion on dining and recreation, Holperin added.
"The JEM program is very successful in helping communities all around Wisconsin promote the state's wonderful destinations, attractions and events, which generates significant tourism spending, employment opportunities and vital tax revenue," Tourism Secretary Jim Holperin said. "That is why Governor Doyle has allocated more than $1.3 million for the JEM grant fund this fiscal year, up $220,000 from last year. The investments we're making today will help encourage visitors to come to Wisconsin year after year."
The JEM program assists nonprofit tourist organizations by providing funds to help advertise events, sales promotions and destination marketing projects. In the 2005 fiscal year, which began July 1, 2004, the program funded 50 projects totaling $1,196,657. The state funds up to 75 percent of the project's first year of advertising and marketing costs. Additional support may be available for the second and third years of the project.
JEM proposals are submitted to the Wisconsin Department of Tourism and are reviewed by the Department staff and a JEM Review Committee. For more information on the JEM program, contact Abbie Hill at 608/261-6272, or visit http://agency.travelwisconsin.com.
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