Search for tourism office site continues

Why did they tear down the building they had on East Austin?

I'm not trying to be ugly but I don't understand what we have to offer tourists. I love living here but unless there's something I'm missing, there's just nothing I can think of that would want me to be a tourist here. People who are coming for ball tournaments are going to come no matter what. People who are coming here to check out Cottey College are going to come no matter what. We're just a regular American family and I think of the places we think about going on vacation or to spend a few days of R&R and I'm still just kinda wondering why we would come here for either.

Why do they want to put it near 71 and 54 if they're going to hide it behind big buildings and side streets where it won't be seen? Even the Centennial location is bad, I'm suprised the subway lasted as long as they did there, I didn't know anyone who went to it! Why don't they put it at the old county jail, historic post office location? I'm surprised the county or whoever owns it didn't buy the old brick building behind it for more parking.

And while I'm on a rampage again, I would Never understand why Milster Funeral Home / Weltmer Institute was torn down, it would have made a beautiful building for a museum on alternative healing etc. and probably would have made money to support the other things that are wanted, it also could had things like a tourist office on our busiest location. Who's been making all of these awlful decisions, the so called Planning Commitee??? Kick them out of office!!!

I don't how many remember, but they built a new building near the truckstop some years back for this and couldn't keep anyone there. Not enough volunteers. Then they tore it down. What would be different this time?

TerryB, you have a good point.

How about this for an alternative? Partner with the hotels and some of the gas stations to display tourism flyers and other information near their entrances. You see this a lot in the Branson area and bigger cities (Granted, they have A LOT more to offer too). Surely, they've thought about that though. Those businesses would have a vested interest in supplying the minimal wall/floor space to hopefully bring more business by now and in the future.

I, as most Nevadans do, greatly appreciate the time and effort of our tourism board and other volunteers in bringing more people and tax dollars to our community.

dandrew, Milster Funeral Home was torn down by the Ferry family. They owned the facility, then let it deteriorate so no other funeral home would buy it and be competition.

The building by the truck stop was donated by Dick Meyers. After a former city manager created havoc with taxes, zoning, licensing, and other matters towards the building, it was removed.

There are two examples of why Nevada does not grow, and people move on to more progressive cities. People having their own agenda and refusing to serve the community over their own wants.

I agree with justawife and willy bishop. I do not see what Nevada has to offer any tourist opposed to other bigger cities. I do live here and like living here, but your entertainment options are very limited. I think the motels/hotels and our limited amount of restaurants/fast food places would be a great place to have this information instead of having to pay for a building or rent and paying people to man the place, which has seemed to not last as in the past.

I thought this job was for the Chamber of Commerence. When I want to visit another town/city, I get in touch with their Chamber for information.

Justawife, it is not as simple to say that those who visit Cottey or the ball fields will come anyhow. Tourism promotes things to do, places to eat, places to to stay, etc... For those who are in town, as well as those driving through. The Bushwhacker Museum is a wonderful addition to Nevada, but most people would not just happen upon it. There are Nevada-esque restaurants that folks would not find, nor would they know about Radio Springs, the buffalo prairie, the Victorian Homes, etc... If all they did was drive down a main drag.

A chamber is a network of businesses, but not all businesses (there is a membership) and promote economic development. In many places, tourism and COC's go hand in hand. Nevada has had a tourism position for years, sometimes managed by the chamber, but funded by the city. They are now completely separate and looking for a new location.

The two groups will remain somewhat symbiotic, but tourism is really where to go when you visit a new place. I have some opportunity to travel for my job and always look up tourism departments to find interesting things to do in a bit of free time. Even when just driving through, I seek out nice places to stop along the way. We have 71 and 54 and we do have people who just stop - learn more - and like what they see thanks to efforts on behalf of tourism and the COC. Those are dollars brought into our community, whether someone coming for a ball game, Cottey visit, or simply driving through on their way to Branson from further west. We DO have something to offer. And this is a job for someone - a decent job in a bad economy. We should be celebrating the fact that we can provide employment for someone and promote the area.

Isn't the very idea of needing tourism...the reason we should have a tourism director. Having a director would ensure that we would have someone that could coordinate events in town...a person to market Nevada to people. Events to plan at parks, the community center, all over town. Someone to develop the balloons that use to come here on Bushwhacker Days - an event that would bring several balloonist to the area. Hunting and fishing events - we have alot of people from KC that duck, turkey, quail, deer hunt and fish. We could have car shows, horse shows, tractor/truck pulls. How about a parade with a battle of the bands. There are tons of things to be developed for our community and area. Music in the parks, nationally known bands to perform...we have a professional baseball team and football team - plan an event in winter for Royals players to come and spring for Chiefs to come...there's soccer. WOW come to think of it, maybe I should apply!!! lol Actually, there's so much that could be done and needs to be done. GET ON BOARD and encourage this!

FYI: The small building that was located on the east side of town was built and paid for by an individual who believed in the need for such a place. Unfortuantely because of a previous city manager the building was destroyed. It was visited by numerous people and the tourism/COC was sorry to see it close because of it value and use. Mr. Thomas Paine has it right in what he wrote.

We got a caboose not doing anything????

The grants only being for events that have overnight stays hurts tourism. When we were planning craft shows, they would only offer help if it was for 2 days, but the vendors couldn't afford to add the price of a room to their expenses or they couldn't make a profit. This is true of most events held in Nevada. Many out-of-towners don't sell at Bushwhacker days because there is very little profit to be made and none if they have to rent a room.