Archived News

Jackson tourism board weighing executive director option

The Jackson County Tourism Development Authority is still in the early stages of determining whether to hire an executive director. A committee has been formed and legwork is being completed.

During the group’s May meeting, committee members charged with assessing the possibilities reported that they were beginning their work. Jackson TDA Chairman Robert Jumper described the committee’s task as “a feasibility study, basically.”

Committee members are currently arranging interviews with individuals likely to have insight into such matters. They plan to talk to their own board members, as well as the Jackson County and Cashiers chambers of commerce. 

The committee also intends to speak with members of neighboring tourism development authorities. 

“So they can get an idea, if they have an executive director, how’s that working out for them and what do they do for them?” Jumper explained.

The chairman said that the process was still in the early stages. 

Jackson County’ tourism authority was formed last year. It currently has no paid staff and is comprised of volunteer board members. The authority contracts work, from marketing jobs to daily logistics, to outside firms, as well as to the chambers of commerce of Jackson and Cashiers.

The tourism authority is funded to the tune of $600,000 via a collected lodging tax. Currently, that money is spent on marketing contracts, as well as for services fulfilled by the respective chambers of commerce and for rent at visitor centers in Cashiers, Sylva and Dillsboro.  

— News Editor Jeremy Morrison

Smokey Mountain News Logo
SUPPORT THE SMOKY MOUNTAIN NEWS AND
INDEPENDENT, AWARD-WINNING JOURNALISM
Go to top
Payment Information

/

At our inception 20 years ago, we chose to be different. Unlike other news organizations, we made the decision to provide in-depth, regional reporting free to anyone who wanted access to it. We don’t plan to change that model. Support from our readers will help us maintain and strengthen the editorial independence that is crucial to our mission to help make Western North Carolina a better place to call home. If you are able, please support The Smoky Mountain News.

The Smoky Mountain News is a wholly private corporation. Reader contributions support the journalistic mission of SMN to remain independent. Your support of SMN does not constitute a charitable donation. If you have a question about contributing to SMN, please contact us.