HomeMy Public PortalAbout10-14-2020 Minutes TDA Regular Meeting
Hillsborough Economic Development Planner Shannan Campbell
101 E. Orange St., PO Box 429, Hillsborough, NC 27278
919-296-9477 | shannan.campbell@hillsboroughnc.gov
www.hillsboroughnc.gov | @HillsboroughGov
www.visithillsboroughnc.com | @HillsboroughNC
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Minutes
Tourism Development Authority (Remote)
5:30 p.m. Oct. 14, 2020
Town of Hillsborough YouTube channel
Present: Chair Hughes, Mark Bateman and Dani Black
Staff: Economic Development Planner Shannan Campbell
Guests: Elise Tyler of the Colonial Inn
1. Call to order
Chair Matt Hughes called the meeting to order at 5:33 p.m. Economic Development Planner Shannan
Campbell confirmed the presence of a quorum.
2. Agenda changes and approval
There were no changes. The agenda stood as presented.
3. Minutes review and approval
Minutes from February 26, 2020, and June 10, 2020
Motion: Member Dani Black moved to approve both sets of minutes. Member Mark Bateman seconded.
Vote: 3-0
4. Action items
A. King Street public sidewalk cost-share request
The board reviewed the request which is to help pay for the public sidewalk to be constructed in front of the
inn that was needed for ADA accessibility for both the inn and for the public sidewalk overall.
Elise Tyler, general manager of The Colonial Inn, joined the meeting. She explained that the developers are
over budget by $500,000. She reviewed that the developers had asked the Board of Commissioners to help
with the cost and that board had decided to contribute $10,000. The Tourism Board considered contributing
but decided it would be more appropriate for the Tourism Development Authority to contribute since the
improvements benefit the Colonial Inn as well as Inn at Teardrops and both remit the occupancy tax.
Bateman said he thought that the town should have paid for it since it was a public sidewalk.
Motion: Bateman moved to contribute $20,000 to the sidewalk project. Black seconded.
Vote: 3-0
5. Discussion items
A. Fiscal year 2021 marketing strategies and ideas
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Campbell reviewed that Hillsborough is advertising through High Country Radio and some weekend
destination publications. Other recent suggestions to Campbell have included: North Raleigh and Cary
publications and in the towns of Roxboro and Danville.
Bateman agreed that Danville is a good market. He indicated that we also get many visitors from Wake
County
Black recommended marketing to train riders. Campbell said that she would look into the opportunities there.
6. Monthly reports
A. Staff report and occupancy tax numbers
Campbell reported that there has been a steady increase in occupancy tax revenues and she attributes that to
an increase in occupancy at Airbnb’s that have a separate entrance. She indicated that it was still lower than it
should be and that hotels are definitely seeing a lack of sales due to COVID-19.
B. Board comments
There was none.
7. Adjournment
Motion: Black moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:57 p.m. Bateman seconded.
Vote: 3-0