Museum urges county to pursue $2.75M community tourism grant; seeks spot on application committee

Eric Elias spoke during public comment on behalf of the local museum, urging the county to pursue the Department of Tourisms community tourism grant (described in the meeting as a $2.75 million program) and asking to be part of the grant process. "I still think the museum is a perfect candidate for the grant," Elias said, and he requested that the museum be included in planning and public meetings related to any application.

Elias and other attendees noted a recent $20,000 private donation to fully fund replacement of the museum furnace and said a feasibility study would be required for state or federal funding; the feasibility was estimated in discussion at "at least another $40,000." Elias asked staff to contact Norma Trent and other stakeholders to set a meeting as soon as possible to prepare the application and community materials. Members discussed grant timelines and scoring, and staff said the Department of Tourism grants can be competitive and sometimes operate on a first-come, first-served basis for certain rounds.