County Commissioners Decline Tourism Bureau's Request

Wabash County Commissioners have chosen to further distance themselves from the Discover Downstate Illinois Tourism Bureau. Last year, commissioners decided to cut sending $6,000 a year to the group which is based in Swansea in the metro east area saying they saw no benefits from remaining in the group. While financial support was cut, Wabash County was able to remain a member of Discover Downstate. But at this Wednesday’s county board meeting, board chairman Scott West shot down a request from Discover Downstate to send a letter recognizing that the tourism group is Wabash County’s state certified tourism bureau. The letter did not come with any financial request on Wabash County’s behalf, but West said that didn’t matter…

When funding was cut last year, commissioners said the $6,000 could be better spent locally instead of with the regional bureau. Discover Downstate’s website indicates that the group represents 21 counties stretching from east of St. Louis to the Wabash County west of Vincennes.

The full discussion of the request among commissioners Tim Hocking, Scott West, and Rob Dean is on this clip….