Economic Development: December 2006 Economic Development Report

December 2006 Economic Development Report

Nelson County Department of Economic Development and Tourism
December 2006 Report

Economic Development Update

Project
•   Facilitating the marketing and branding strategy – onsite meeting is December 20-22, 2006
•   Submitting application for Dept. of Housing and Community Development Rural Broadband grant application
•   Coordinated Lovingston Village Decorating Contest
•   Working with the prospective buyer for the Callohill property
•   Coordinating the 2007 bicentennial celebration marketing efforts

November Meetings
November 1 – Virginia Tourism Corporation workshop
November 2 – Economic Development Authority
November – Central Virginia Council of Destination Marketing Organizations
November 6 – The Meeting Place
November 6 – Virginia Winery Association
November 9 – Bicentennial
November 9 – Piedmont Workforce Network
November 15 – Dept. Housing and Community Development Rural Broadband grant workshop
November 16 – Bicentennial
November 16 – Nelson County Hospitality and Travel Association
November 17 - Central Virginia Council of Destination Marketing Organizations November 20 – Bicentennial
November 21 – Virginia Tourism Corporation
November 22 – VA Economic Development Partnership and Dept. of Business Assistance
November 27 – VA Economic Development Partnership and Dept. of Business Assistance
November 27 - Central Virginia Council of Destination Marketing Organizations
November 30 – Tour of Virginia cycling event – April 2007

Recruitment and Retention
Working with 1 new prospect and 4 ongoing relationships

Tourism Update
Projects
•   Beta testing new visitor center reporting software with Virginia Tourism Corporation
•   The 11th collectible miniature, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, will be available December 2006
•   Submitted Horse lovers packages to The Virginia Racing Commission
•   Submitted Bicentennial events to The SeeAmerica Committee for its January 2007 article in Canadian Traveller
•   The Apple Shed is featured on YouTube.com
•   Recommended Monticello Wine Festival be held in Nelson County in 2007
•   Working with Tour of VA cycling event (April 2007)
•   Royal Oaks featured in USA Today – 11/24/06 Life section- 10 great places to find Hope, Comfort and Justice (virtuous places – Love, VA)
•   Orchard House Bed and Breakfast featured as cover story Dec-Jan Small Town Living magazine
•   Washington Post – 11/29 edition mentioned Nelson Christmas tree farms
•   Working with Department of Parks and Recreation to maintain access to the Deer Rock Trails at DelFosse Winery
•   Submitted information to a national publication about honeymoons/winter lodges/chalets

Montebello Fish Hatchery
206 visitors in October

Tourism Statistics
                   Fiscal                   Fiscal
November 2006   YTD 2007   November 2005   YTD 2006
Phone       554           1,771       126           1,452
Internet    136,012       659,737   44,414       301,392
Walk In   860           5,826       765           6,488

Taxes       October 2006   YTD 2006   October 2005   YTD 2005
Lodging   $29,250       106,544   17,248       65,435
Meals       $47,526       178,955   39,042       162,730

Media Coverage
Nelson County Times, News Advance, Daily Progress, News Virginian, magazines    Column Inches – 486   Number of articles - 15
Average open rate is $23.67 per column inch for regional papers –
Nelson County received $11,504 in advertising through print media sources.