By HOLLY GASKILL
The Bluffton Parks Department has become the first benefactor of marketing grants available through the Wells County Convention and Visitors Commission.
Audry Dudley, tourism coordinator, informed the board members Wednesday that the grant subcommittee had awarded the parks department a grant to market their WOOF Trail Run. “Wells Outrageous Ouabache Fifteen” brought 132 participants for the 15-mile run on Nov. 4. Brandy Fiechter, parks department superintendent, told the board a fair amount of participants had traveled from neighboring counties.
In return, the parks department offered visitor guides at the event, included the commission in event promotion, and incorporated Wells County on their race shirts.
Dudley stated another group would soon receive a grant, and the subcommittee had several more applicants to review. In this grant cycle, organizations and businesses can receive up to $2,000 to assist in marketing events that may bring tourists to the area.
The commission was unable to meet a quorum on Wednesday, meaning no specific actions could be taken. However, the group proceeded with regular updates regarding tourism activities. Present board members were Fiechter, Steve Higgins, Jeff Reed and Jay Esparza; Scott Elzey, Michelle Blount, Zane Herr, Jon Winne and Justin Osborne were absent.
The present group decided to hold their next meeting, 8 a.m. Dec. 6, at the Comfort Inn to accommodate Osborne. Chad Kline, Wells County Economic Development executive director, said the board could consider varying their meeting locations several times a year.
holly@news-banner.com
