Sierra Vista council approves tourism agreement with Cochise County Economic Council

The Sierra Vista City Council convened on February 27, 2025, to discuss and approve an intergovernmental agreement with the Cochise County Tourism Economic Council (CCTEC). The resolution, numbered 2025-018, was moved for approval and received a second, leading to a detailed staff report presented by a city representative.

The CCTEC is a collaborative organization aimed at enhancing tourism efforts across Cochise County, which includes the cities of Benson, Wilcox, Bisbee, Douglas, and Sierra Vista. The agreement, previously approved by the Cochise County Board of Supervisors on January 28, 2025, is designed to bolster advertising initiatives and maintain a strong online presence through the website explorer.Cochise and various social media platforms.

The representative emphasized the competitive nature of Arizona's tourism sector, highlighting the importance of a united front to promote the county's attractions. The agreement allows CCTEC to apply for funding from the Arizona Office of Tourism's Rural Ad Cooperative, which offers a 50% match on contributions up to $50,000. With a city contribution of approximately $45,000, CCTEC stands to gain an additional $89,000 in funding.

The report outlined past advertising efforts, including international campaigns targeting Canada and Mexico, as well as collaborations with media outlets such as Smithsonian and Arizona Highways. The city has also organized meetings to connect visitor center staff from various communities, fostering collaboration and sharing of resources.

Sierra Vista serves as the administrative agent for CCTEC, providing essential manpower and resources for tourism initiatives. The tourism coordinator position, currently held by Lauren Healy, is partially funded through this agreement, along with support from the city's communication and grants administration departments.

The council's approval of the intergovernmental agreement will allow it to proceed to the other participating cities for their respective approvals. It was noted that while the agreement spans four years, funding will be subject to annual budget reviews by the city and county.

The meeting concluded with an invitation for questions and comments, underscoring the collaborative spirit of the initiative aimed at enhancing tourism in Cochise County.