Council approves $250,000 tourism fund contribution for customs office at Indianapolis Executive Airport

Allison Gutwein, CEO of Discover Boone County, told the council the Tourism Commission voted to provide $250,000 toward development of a customs office at Indianapolis Executive Airport and asked the council to release lodging-tax funds currently held by the treasurer.

"On behalf of Boone County Tourism Commission and Discover Boone County, I would like to share [an] exciting opportunity," Gutwein said, explaining the funds come from previously earned lodging/innkeeper tax revenue and are held in a county fund. She said the commission plans to transition from an annual draw to a monthly draw for cash-flow management.

Council members asked whether the $250,000 came from innkeeper tax receipts and whether the customs center would create an ongoing county liability; staff and the presenter said the money is lodging-tax dollars held by the treasurer and that the project is expected to operate self-sufficiently after two years, with substantial private funding pledged for construction and operations.

The council voted to approve the release of the $250,000 for the initial two-year operating period.

Nut graf: The council agreed to release tourism-generated lodging-tax funds to seed a customs facility meant to support international visitors and business travel; council members emphasized the funding source (innkeeper tax) and that the county's obligation was limited to the initial commitment.

Supporters said the customs capability could attract international visitors and corporate travel, and council members requested that any county promotional materials placed in the airport be subject to council approval, per a council member on the tourism board.

Ending: Staff confirmed the funds are held in a tourism fund at the treasurer's office and the council's vote authorized the initial $250,000 release.