Tourist Bureau Moving Date Imminent
Armstrong County Commissioners Rich Fink, David Battaglia and Bob Bower earlier this month
In about a month, Armstrong County Tourist Bureau Board of Directors have their first chance to move to the Belmont Complex in East Franklin Township.
County Commissioner Chair David Battaglia clarified at a public meeting earlier this month that there is a 90-day opt out clause of the current lease.
“Our goal was to give (Tourist Bureau Board of Directors) an opportunity to move up to the Belmont and keep us from having to pay $25,000 for rent, equipment,” Battaglia said. “Whatever their board wants to do – we just presented them with a financial option.
“They could leave in April, they could leave in September, they could look at different options – this Board is totally set with the Tourist Bureau board’s decision.”
Board of Directors voted earlier this month in fact to move, but have not yet announced when.
Kittanning Borough Council President Randy Cloak also sent commissioners a letter with his concerns of the Tourist Bureau office moving from Downtown.
In other business earlier this month, commissioners approved a contract with Mission Critical Partners to study Armstrong 9-1-1 sharing resources with other counties.
Armstrong 9-1-1 Director Ron Baustert explained.
“Two years ago, (Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency) offered money to every county to do a regional assessment of sharing resources. The majority of counties in Region 13 did not apply for that money, since we are ahead of the curve with the (Inter County Regional Radio System),” Baustert said. “Last year, I did apply for that money, and we were denied, that it was a one-year thing.”
However, officials have now decided all counties must apply for the funding, even to be applicable for other funding through PEMA.
The $18,000 contract with Mission Critical Partners was unanimously approved. The remainder of the $25,000 PEMA grant can go toward any determined project.
Local News | jweaver February 25, 2015
By the_observer, February 25, 2015 @ 11:57 AM
Following articles here and in the Leader Times… the commissioners’ Math is not adding up.
By rocket, February 25, 2015 @ 3:50 PM
A much as I don’t usually agree with anything Randy Cloak says, I agree that moving the Tourist Bureau is a really bad move. If Kittanning is trying to revitalize then they need the support of the Tourist Bureau IN TOWN. Why move it out of town? I can see wanting to save a few dollars, which according the article, don’t add up unless a position is eliminated, and how this would create more relevance to the money being poured into the Belmont Complex, however, Downtown Kittanning NEEDS the Tourist Bureau to assist with revitalization efforts! Save a few dollars… move it elsewhere. The space is so small- after a first hand tour- that I can’t imagine any business could actually operate there, unless they were using the space for campaigning. Who is going to pay the high rental fees in Downtown anyway if that is the thought process. That is ONE of the reason businesses don’t move into town! How many years is it really going to take to actually allow changes to be made in Kittanning and Armstrong County proper for the realization that all we have left here is tourism- if it’s executed correctly? Oh wait… most of that was already shot down thanks to Jerry Shuster! Be open Tourist Bureau Board and County Commissioners! Save your town!
By dcroyle, February 25, 2015 @ 7:19 PM
You are correct. The math does not add up. Perhaps Commissioner Battaglia can provide a detailed expense report for that amount of money. Perhaps it includes all the office equipment that is leased that wouldn’t be needed at the Belmont. They would just assign a portion of the Belmont’s copy expense to the Tourist Bureau. Now wouldn’t THAT be some creative accounting! This is the problem with government. They spit out numbers without explaining them. They think the average voter is not intelligent enough to understand it. However, the voters DO understand it and it worries politicians!!!
By jorn jensen, February 26, 2015 @ 12:44 AM
I agree with rocket - the tourist bureau should stay in town - somewhere in town. I further agree with another prior poster’s comment - the old laudromat where Allegheny Real Estate is now, was a lost opportunity for the county to place the tourist bureau - lots of parking, high visibility, park and river just across the road. Lost opportunity.
Bluto will tell you that we don’t even need a brick and mortar tourist bureau - just do it all on the internet. Well, maybe take a look at Warren County’s brick and mortar tourist bureau and see just what they are doing right.
By scott_starr, February 26, 2015 @ 7:54 PM
Folks,
In politics 1+1 =3.
By savvynewshound, February 27, 2015 @ 6:48 AM
Why is it assumed the Tourist Bureau needs to be in Kittanning? Armstrong County is large and has much to offer. The brick and mortar location shouldn’t matter as much as the effort.
By blutoblutarsky, February 27, 2015 @ 1:19 PM
Jorn- less capital expenses = greater savings in the private or public sector. It’s not really that hard of a concept to understand.
I thought you wanted to be a fiscally responsible candidate? Even leasing a small office is better than leasing or purchasing a fairly sized building.
If we were talking about the welfare office, I bet your tune would change.
By jorn jensen, February 28, 2015 @ 2:32 PM
Bluto - I’m from the private sector - of course I understand less capital expenses = greater savings. Sometimes, a well-justified, with a good return, investment is well-worth the capital expenditure.
I believe that when the laundromat exited, the building could have been bought for a song. That would be a missed opportunity.
How do you compare the welfare office to the tourist bureau? The welfare office is a pure expense - it brings in zero income. The tourist bureau has the power to bring dollars into Armstrong County. I can’t believe that you even mention the two in the same breath.
One reason that the tourist bureau should be in the town of Kittanning is because Kittanning is the county seat. Hey, it is moving - hope they can bring a lot of tourist dollars into Armstrong County. I continue to support the efforts of the Armstrong County Tourist Bureau.
By blutoblutarsky, March 2, 2015 @ 7:18 AM
Jorn- Considering your private sector experience, you have to realize that leasing a small office is the way to go. If the tourist bureau is worth it’s while, start them there and have them prove their growth with some numbers.
I don’t mean numbers like, AC overall has increased tourism dollars by X amount. What I mean is, this bureau ITSELF has directly increased tourism dollars by X amount.
Let them prove that the larger office or purchased space will provide an increase in revenue for the area. This is how the private sector would do it.