As we gear up for summer, Sue Scott, chair of the county Lodging Tax Committee, sent out an advisory that the lodger tax must be collected if a guest stays less than 30 days.
This money is very important because it circles back into the Mancos Valley to promote tourism and supports the annual budget at the Chamber of Commerce/Visitor Center. Marketing Mancos to encourage visitors to our community is an important ingredient for economic development in our town. It requires a fair amount of time, planning and financial expenditure to draw visitors to the Mancos area. Therefore, the Chamber of Commerce/Visitor Center works to publish articles in travel guides, advertise in a variety of publications and broadcast on local and regional media information about community activities and events. As a result,lodging businesses as well as many of our other local shops and restaurants reap some benefit as they see tourists frequent their place of business.
Lodger tax dollars have also been used to support a variety of community projects and events: the Chicken Creek Nordic Ski Area, the Farmers Market, the Balloon and Art Fest in September, the annual Fourth of July Fireworks, Mancos Valley Chorus, and a variety of arts events as well as the Citizen of the Year Award and the newly developed Youth Recognition Award.
The Citizen of Year for 2013 was the Mancos Valley Lions Club for its service work in the Mancos Valley including the annual 9Health Fair.
Kaitlyn Rivera, 2014 Mancos High School graduate, was the first graduating senior to receive the new Youth Recognition Award from the Mancos Valley Chamber of Commerce.
She was selected to receive the award for her demonstrated commitment to her school, to her academics and to her community.
DON'T FORGET: There will be an open house at the newly remodeled Enchanted Mesa Motel at the corner of Grand Avenue and Monte Street, on Friday, May 30 at 6 p.m. Everyone is invited to meet the new manager, Pat Janz, and see all the changes made to the motel. Refreshments will be served.