Economic Development: July 2006 Economic Development Report

July 2006 Economic Development Report

Nelson County Department of Economic Development and Tourism
July 2006 Report

Economic Development Update

Project
•   Online business directory now complete, categorized by occupation and now being updated with 2006 business license information
•   Schuyler historic district–placed on the VA Landmarks Register June 8
•   Managing the installation of historic district signage for Lovingston
•   Working with the Economic Development Authority on broadband initiatives

June Meetings
June 1 – Monticello-Washingston Redskins promotion
June 2 – Dept. of Business Assistance
June 2 – Thomas Jefferson Partnership for Economic Development
June 3 – DelFosse Winery – Trails at Deer Rock grand opening
June 6 – Augusta County Lions Club
June 6 - Monticello-Washingston Redskins promotion
June 8 – Dept. of Historic Resources State Review Board
June 9 – Charlottesville Albemarle Convention and Visitors Bureau
June 9 – Regional Tourism Summit
June 10 – Poplar Grove Wine Festival
June 12 – Bicentennial Committee
June 14 – Lambert and Associates
June 15 – Economic Development Authority Business Appreciation Event
June 19 – Lynchburg Economic Development
June 20 – Piedmont Workforce Network
June 21 – VA Economic Development Association
June 22 – Explore Nelson Wine
June 22 - Piedmont Workforce Network
June 23 - Thomas Jefferson Partnership for Economic Development
June 24-25 – Nelson County Summer Festival
June 27 – Lovingston Revitalization Project
June 27 – Green County Economic Development Authority
June 29 – July 4th parade
June 30 – Lynchburg Regional Chamber of Commerce

Recruitment and Retention
Working with 4 new prospects and 2 ongoing relationships

Tourism Update
Projects
•   Working with Monticello and the Washington Redskins on a September promotion
•   Developing a framework for the 2007 Nelson County Bicentennial
•   Planning Jamestown 2007 events
•   Arranging for the installation of signage for the Watchable Wildlife program

Montebello Fish Hatchery
362 visitors in June

Tourism Statistics
                                       Fiscal                                    Fiscal
                June 2006        YTD 2006   June 2005       YTD 2005
Phone   341                    2,924            300                    2,779
Internet 97,024                833,980       59,724               512,296
Walk In   1,148                11,967           1,484                12,150

Taxes   May 2006        YTD 2006   May 2005       YTD 2005
Lodging   $11,757       185,048       9,735                172,310
Meals        $36,352       445,854       36,499                444,891

Media Coverage
Nelson County Times, News Advance, Daily Progress, News Virginian, magazines    Column Inches – 542 Number of articles - 30
Average open rate is $23.67 per column inch for regional papers –
Nelson County received $12,829 in advertising through print media source