The Clinton County Industrial Development Authority held its brief regular meeting last Thursday morning, October 8 with six of seven members present.

The board first voted to pay claims and bills and approved the CCIDA expenditure reports.

On a motion by Crystal Adkins, the board voted to donate their annual amount of $850 to Clinton County High School’s Project Graduation.

The board then held a brief discussion on next year’s Kentucky State Fair promotional, as they no longer have a sponsor for a booth or bags (filled with local tourism and other information) to pass out.

The board discussed the cost of those items, as well as banners to be erected at the Clinton County booth.

It was noted the board still had a few meetings between now and next year’s fair and could decide on some of those costs later. However, they did vote, on a motion by Keith McWhorter, to share the cost of the purchase of two banners with the Albany/Clinton County Chamber of Commerce, with the banners not only to be used at the state fair but for other promotional events.

Chamber President Rick Mercader, who was also at the meeting, said the cost of 5,000 promotional bags used last year was about $2,500 and the board decided to search for cheaper outlets prior to next year and delayed making a decision on a booth until a later time.

McWhorter again pushed the idea and need for the county forming a tourism board and adopting a tourism fee on out-of-town residents to help fund tourist promotion to the area. He noted that most all other places people visit have both a state and local tourism tax–especially in lodging establishments which get the vast majority of business from out-of-town residents.

Before the meeting was adjourned, Mercader thanked the board for its help and cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce on the State Fair promotion, the 4th of July Fireworks Show, and other community promotions.

The next meeting of the Clinton County Industrial Development Authority will be held in December.