Tourism Dollars Increase According to Chamber Study.

The Budget Committee heard the results of a tourism study compiled by Shipman & Associates of Bartlesville, Oklahoma during budget hearings last week. Charles Shipman presented his findings of the comparison study of generated revenues from Carthage, Joplin and Jasper County for Fiscal Years 1994-1998, which reflected a general increase in all areas.

The cooperative study was commissioned and funded jointly by the CCC/CVB, Joplin CVB and Missouri Division of Tourism Cooperative Marketing using a Standard Industry Code (SIC).

"Is Carthage user friendly? Are you capitalizing on the attractions you have? Are your attractions open when tourists are moving about? Are the businesses dealing in tourism communicating and coordinating with each other? Are all of your major attractions working from the same game plan? If you answer "no" to any of the above questions than a million dollars worth of advertising won’t help you," said Shipman.

The two part study was composed of fiscal facts and personal interviews with nineteen members of the Carthage community, who are directly or indirectly, involved with tourism. Shipman said the figures showed that between 1996 and 1998, the lodging tax collections increased thirty-five percent overall. In that same period of time attendance at the Civil War Museum increased by 4,900. Based on sign-ins located at Powers Museum as many as 30 percent of the visitors were from out of state. More than 25 percent of the guests stayed over night in Carthage, ate in Carthage, and visited another attraction in Carthage. The study indicated that many visitors to the museum were treating Carthage as a destination rather than a stop on the way to, or from, Branson.

Dollars spent in Carthage gift shops increased more than fifty-six percent between FY 1996-1998 as compared to a slight decrease in Joplin. Sales at Carthage antique shops were up 20 percent during the same period. Motels and restaurants also reflected an increase in sales.

The Jasper County total taxable sales was up 3.9 percent whereas the adjusted national economy was slightly over three percent. During this period taxable sales in Carthage rose 2.4 percent while in Joplin total taxable sales increased slightly more than two percent.

Shipman cited a recent study in Independence, Missouri that concluded that overnight visitors spend eight dollars for every one dollar spent by day visitors.

The survey of local respondents reflected the opinion that more annual events and more two-three day events hosted by Carthage was needed. And, they suggested that the lack of businesses on the square that were open on weekends was part of an ongoing problem.

Missouri Department of Tourism requires the CCC/CVB to spend its advertising grant money outside of a 50 mile radius to encourage overnight trips.

The bottom line is that tourism not only brings economic benefit to

Carthage, but it is getting a great bang for the lodging tax buck

according to the study. Since FY 1995-96 370,000 brochures were

distributed and 125,000 Carthage Facts booklets were distributed between

Kansas City and Branson. Additionally ads highlighting Carthage were

placed in other media including national magazines, newspapers, tv,

radio and billboards. Monies for CCC/CVB advertising comes jointly from

the City of Carthage General Fund and the lodging tax in partnership

with the Joplin CVB and the Missouri Division of Tourism.

Just Jake Talkin'
Mornin',

I got into another one a those, you go, no you go, no you go, speechless discussions at the intersection the other day. This time it was with a motorcycle rider. Had his (I think it was a he) face shield down so I couldn't tell his expression, but we had quite a discussion decidin' who was gonna balk first. After a couple a false starts, the biker won out. I can only take so much of bein' mister nice guy and after a while I go on through just ta prove a point. The problem is, I haven't figured out what the point is. I find myself talkin' to myself sayin' somethin' like, 'well, if you're gonna be that way, I just show you' and off I go. Guess I just don't have the stamina I used too. When I was younger I could sit at a corner longer than anyone. That really showed 'em too I suppose.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin'.

by

Workman's Loan

The Super Handyman

Q: I have a light fixure on the side of my house that is covered by a glass panel. The bulbs seem to burn out too often - twice as fast as my other outside light fixtures. They work except when they burn out, so I don't think the problem is a short. What else might be causing this? -M.S.

A: An exterior light might seem to burn out faster because it is often left on all night. Lights that aren't controlled by the timer of an electronic eye may be forgotten about and burn all day, too. Long-life bulbs may be an answer for you.

Another explanation could be overheating within the unit. The bulbs could be too compacted without any way for heat to escape. Also, there could be a faulty socket that doesn't quite make contact with the base. This can cause arcing, which results in overheating. Be sure that you shut off the current at the entry box before working on the fixture.

Dear Carrells: I have a beautiful glass front door, and I always wanted to have it etched. I was afraid to do the etching, but I did find a way to make it look as if it had been done. I used a stencil and some white paint to apply a design to the door. It really looks etched from the road, and people are always commenting on it. Best of all if I change my mind, I can wash it off and make a new design.

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