Tom Devine, speaking for the Jackson County Area Tourism Association, told the Board of Supervisors on Dec. 9 that tourism generated $41,130,000 in direct economic impact for Jackson County this year, a rise he described as better than expected.

Devine said the association's mini-grant program drew more than $10,000 in applications for a $5,000 fund that caps awards at $750 per entity. He said the tourism board will meet Thursday to choose recipients and that the association plans to announce winners after that meeting. "We went to $41,130,000 of economic impact that tourism brings to Jackson County," Devine said.

Devine also described a state grant application submitted in September to fund a countywide events calendar so communities and organizations can post all county events in one place. He named two local applicants for other state grant funds: Visit Makokuta, a new destination-marketing organization, and the Bellevue Chamber and city of Bellevue, which applied for kiosk funding.

Devine said the county recorded about a 5% increase in direct dollars and expressed optimism about future growth, noting a multi-year goal of reaching $50 million. The tourism association will announce mini-grant recipients following its Thursday board meeting and said it expected notice soon about the county calendar grant.