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Commissioner Brown - Tourism Development - To Appropriate $100,000 in Tourism Fund Balance in Support of Belmont Trolley and the Construction of a Trolley Barn
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STAFF CONTACT
Micheal Applegate - Tourism Development - 704-813-0144
BUDGET IMPACT
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Tourism Fund (Special Revenue Fund): Increase fund balance appropriated by $100,000. Increase expenditures by $100,000. body
BACKGROUND
The Belmont Trolley’s mission is to preserve the past by restoring trolley service and operating a museum in Gaston County while inspiring the future through emerging technologies, connecting communities, and serving as a catalyst for economic growth. The Belmont Trolley Station will be a hub of downtown activity. Designed to be a uniquely identifiable landmark with a local-historical flavor, the Belmont Trolley Station will be an engaging facility housing three trolleys, serving as an innovation center for emerging technologies and a museum facility showcasing local rail history.
The Tourism Advisory Board voted to support the Belmont Trolley Station with $100,000 from the Tourism Fund Balance. To date other sponsors have been the Belmont Tourism Authority ($200,000), the State of North Carolina ($1,000,000), the City of Belmont ($300,000), a private foundation ($300,000), and individual donors and businesses ($40,000). With Tourism’s contribution, the total raised is $1,940,000, enough to begin Phase I of the Belmont Trolley Station.
POLICY IMPACT
N/A
ATTACHMENTS
Budget Change Request (BCR)