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2010 Not Good for Tourism Funding; Kite Festival Not Returning to Galesburg Due to Economy
FIRST REPORTED 5pm 2/15/10 The head of the Galesburg-Area Convention and Visitors Bureau says simply put, 2010 is not going to be a good year for tourism -- or, at least, tourism promotion.

Diane Bruening told WGIL's "Galesburg Live" Monday cuts in state funding, along with declines in hotel-motel tax money, are resulting in plenty of cutbacks, from supplies to energy and salaries, including unpaid furlough days every month for the staff at the Galesburg Welcome Center.

Bruening tells WGIL she should know more about what kind of funding for next fiscal year will be available in June, but it's not looking good.

"If, by the middle of the year when state funding comes our way -- we feel like the way things are going...we may not even see that funding -- but if we do, we're sure it's going to be cut considerably," Bruening said. "(The state bases) that on the previous year, how you did. Since we're down 17,000 (per-night room stays), they'll look at that, and that'll be the way the funding will go."

Bruening says even related to the economy, one annual event won't be back this year -- the annual "Kites over Lake Storey" event. She says organizers are citing increasing costs.

Bruening says so far, however, most other events will still be held as scheduled this year, though many may end up being scaled back.
02 16 10 by Newsroom
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