Committee recommends $7,500 motel-hotel grant for Mill Road Thresherman to full board

The Effingham County Finance Committee voted to recommend that the full board approve a $7,500 motel-hotel tax award to Mill Road Thresherman to support this year’s event.

Kathy Schroeder, representing Mill Road Thresherman, told the committee the group ‘‘are requesting, $7,500 for the purpose of continuing our show’’ and described attractions and youth programming that she said draw families and visitors to the county. She estimated ‘‘about 1,100 paying’’ attendees over the three-day event and said increased insurance, fairground rent and water/maintenance for tractor pulls account for much of the requested support.

Committee members noted hotel and related local spending benefits for the county and said the grant appeared reasonable. A member moved to forward the $7,500 request to the full board for approval; the chair recorded the motion as moved by Josh and seconded by Chris. The committee approved the recommendation by voice vote and will place the item on the full-board agenda for final action.

What’s next: the recommendation will be sent to the full board for final approval. If approved, funds would come from the county’s motel-hotel tax allocation for event and tourism support.