For Immediate Release:
November 17, 2020
Contact:
Greg Jones (276) 386-3831
Town Manager townmanager@mygatecity.com
GATE CITY,VA Town of Gate City Receives Virginia Tourism Corporation Recovery Marketing Leverage Grant for Tourism Marketing
The Town of Gate City has received $20,000.00 from the Virginia Tourism Corporation’s (VTC) Recovery Marketing Leverage Program (RMLP), designed to help local and regional tourism entities attract more visitors by leveraging limited local marketing dollars through a local match of the state grants funds.
More than $1.9 million in matching grant funds were awarded to 161 local tourism initiatives through this program. This funding cycle, local partners will provide more than $5.6 million in-kind value to match the VTC grants. The grants will ultimately impact 483 statewide tourism entities.
The VTC Recovery Marketing Leverage Grant Program will allow the Town of Gate City to develop partnerships with our local tourist destinations. Our goal is to increase traffic and sales for our downtown businesses. Our key focus areas will include:
- • Developing programs to increase tourism
- Increase overnight stays at the Bed & Breakfasts located in our downtown business district
- Increase tax revenue for the town through our meals tax, business license tax, and transient lodging tax
- Create a memorable experience for tourists that will make them want to tell their friends and visit again.
- Increase visitation to our event venues and tourist destination locations
- Create new resources and opportunity for local businesses
- Create dynamic partnerships that will positively impact Gate City, Scott County, and Southwest Virginia in future endeavors
- Fuel artistic growth by providing local musicians and artisans a venue to showcase their talents
- Provide an economical source of entertainment for tourists
- Expand upon and continue our musical heritage
- By forming marketing partnerships with our local tourist destinations, we can help contribute to the outdoor recreation market by helping to increase tourism and increase traffic and sales within our downtown business district.
“We are so pleased to receive this grant to assist us in bringing tourism to the Gate City downtown businesses and the local area.” Said Gate City Mayor Bob Richards. “Tourism is one of the keys that is vital to Gate City’s continued economic growth. We are confident once others travel to Gate City they will discover the history, the charm and the beauty that Gate City has to offer they will be back and will tell their friends and family to visit us. This is a great investment in our community and one that will pay dividends for years to come.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on the tourism and hospitality industries in Virginia. As the Commonwealth slowly reopens for business, VTC offered these grant funds as a first step to re-entry into the marketplace to spur economic activity and future travel across the Commonwealth of Virginia.
“Tourism is a crucial section of the Virginia economy and when we invest in this industry, we support local job creation and drive regional economic growth, which is desperately needed now due to the pandemic,” said Governor Ralph Northam. “These funds give localities and businesses access to critical marketing resources that will help bring more travelers to our Commonwealth, increase visitor spending, and grow demand for Virginia products.”
Tourism is one of the Commonwealth’s largest economic engines, with visitors to Scott County spending more than $18,927,158 in 2019, supporting 177 work opportunities and contributing $451,108 in local and state tax revenue. The tourism and hospitality industries have also been among the hardest-hit by the pandemic, experiencing decreased revenue and job loss, along with the temporary closure of many tourism-related businesses. A revived tourism economy can help spur new economic activity and inject critical funds back into Virginia communities.
About Virginia Tourism Corporation.
Virginia Tourism Corporation is the state agency charged with marketing the Commonwealth as a premier travel and film destination. In 2019, visitors to Virginia spent $27 billion, which supported 237,000 work opportunities and contributed $1.8 billion in state and local taxes. To learn more, visit virginia.org