Operating on a shoestring budget

The closing of the Fairbridge Inn in Whitley City placed an even greater burden on tourists and visitors seeking reputable overnight lodging in McCreary County.  Additionally, county leaders and local tourism officials recognize the difficulty of encouraging economic development through tourism when “heads (tourists and visitors) can’t be put in beds” due to limited overnight accommodations.  Making matters worse, the county’s tourism budget during a typical year comes mostly from dollars produced by the 3% transient (lodging) tax, added on to the cost of hotel/motel and other overnight accommodations.  Thus, the fewer “heads in beds,” the less funding the county has to promote tourism.

With the closure of the FairBridge, McCreary County now has two motels-the Parkland on HWY 27 in Revelo/Stearns and the Big South Fork Trail Lodge in Stearns.  Several bed & breakfasts and Airbnbs are springing up throughout the county.  

According to McCreary County Tourism Director Michelle Perry, the closing of the FairBridge Inn will cost county tourism at least approximately $5,000 per year.

“Lodging is one of our biggest struggles to bring motor coach tours and big events to our area,” Perry said.  “The loss of the FairBridge lodging accommodations will be greatly felt by our visitors, our tourism budget, and our office.”

Despite a recent and erroneous nonlocal news story making the Facebook rounds earlier this month, insinuating McCreary County tourism has millions of dollars in its tourism (gov.) budget, Perry said the projected county tourism budget for 2023-24 stands at approximately $95,000.  Ironically, the projected 23-24 budget is also misleading as it is larger than normal due to the inclusion of about $63,000 in carryover funds from the previous year.  Perry noted the carryover amount is larger than normal due to decreased tourism activity and spending during the time of the COVID-19 travel restrictions.  Additionally, about $36,000 of the carryover amount was generated through grants and COVID-19 funding which will be unavailable in the future.  According to Perry, the county’s tourism budget is typically made up primarily of the 3% transient tax on lodging and small fundraisers/grants.  The typical yearly budget for county tourism is usually about $40,000.

McCreary County Tourism Board Member Shane Gilreath agreed with Perry.

“Loss of the transient tax from the FairBridge Inn will definitely hurt our budget,” Gilreath said.

Despite the ups and downs of funding, McCreary Tourism is eyeing the future.

In 2024, McCreary County Tourism plans to partner with the Mike Stephens family to resurrect the Moonshiner’s Car show in loving memory of the family’s late matriarch, Paula Stephens, who was instrumental in organizing the original shows.

There are also plans to work with Victoria Smith on a McCreary County Trail Challenge and other individuals about organizing another adventure McCreary County.

McCreary County Tourism plans to continue working with the McCreary County Heritage Foundation to support the renovation and marketing of Historic Stearns.

Additionally, the “Let’s Go on a Bear Hunt” project is underway and will culminate in 2024.  As a way to develop a unifying county-wide tourism theme and promote tourism and economic development, an effort is currently underway to place customized, life-sized chain saw carved black bears outside of businesses and organizations throughout McCreary County.  The project began in early summer and thus far, eleven locations have agreed to purchase and place bears by the end of 2023 with more locations planned in 2024.  Next steps include development and marketing of a “Let’s Go on a Bear Hunt” trail with a corresponding map, Facebook page, and passport.  Tourists and local residents will be encouraged to follow the Bear Trail, take photos with each bear while dining, shopping, visiting at each bear location.  Festivals and other “bear” themed events will be natural follow ups.

County tourism is also optimistic about Nick Patel’s recent purchase of the Parkland Motel.  Patel pledged to revamp the Parkland, anticipating an investment of approximately $200,000 in the building.  For more information on Patel’s recent purchase, read the related article.