Owen County commissioners approved renewal of the county’s annual tourism services agreement after a presentation by the tourism board and staff.

Jason Kinney, identified as the county tourism director in the meeting packet, summarized the commission’s year-to-date activities, including donations to community projects, sponsorships for local festivals and events, advertising in state tourism publications and TV segments, and a printed hiking guide. The tourism commission said it had supported projects ranging from bench installation at Cataract Falls State Recreation Area to Cooper Commons recreation improvements and sponsorship of local festivals.

Commissioners praised the tourism commission’s outreach and noted a recent state grant of $25 million for park restoration as an opportunity to promote county attractions. The board voted 3-0 to approve the agreement and authorized the board president’s single signature as provided in the contract.

The tourism commission representatives signed the agreement during the meeting and said they would return the executed copies following their board procedures.