The Starkville Convention and Visitors Bureau budget approved by aldermen Tuesday projects the organization will take in about $14,000 more in 2 percent food, beverage and hotel tax receipts than it did last year.
Combined, the two separate streams — the food and beverage tax and the hotel tax — is projected to generate about $435,000, up from Fiscal Year 2014-2015’s $421,500.
Each stream funds specific expenses, from Greater Starkville Development Partnership marketing initiatives to special projects and professional development. Combined expenses are budgeted to equal the year’s revenues, documents show.
Jennifer Gregory, the Partnership’s chief executive, said the projected revenue growth is indicative of Starkville’s ability to attract more tourists.
Specifically, the Mill at MSU conference center and new hotel developments are expected to drive the additional revenues, she said.
Mill at MSU developer Mark Castleberry’s Courtyard by Marriot is slated to open Oct. 27 and is fully booked for its debut. A second hotel in the same area — Cotton Mill Marketplace developer Mark Nicholas’ Holiday Inn — is expected to open next year.
Touting public-private partnerships and the $40 million development’s potential to drive Starkville’s economy, leaders dedicated the Mill at MSU Monday.
“Our budget is reflective of Starkville’s pulse. We’ve seen very positive increases with hotel tax revenues so far, and this is a very conservative estimate for the future. Additionally, the 2 percent food and beverage receipts have seen steady increases over the past years,” Gregory said. “Over the past six years, tourism spending is up 45 percent in Oktibbeha County. That’s a good indicator of our city’s growing economy.”
The Partnership uses its cut of the 2 percent food and beverage tax, as well as hotel returns, as a way to reinvest in tourism programs. The money funds various events that promote Starkville’s quality of life and the advertising needed to spread the Partnership’s message across Mississippi and the Southeast.
“MSU is obviously the No. 1 driver of tourism, but our strategy of capitalizing on those crowds has been very effective. Programs like Pumpkinpalooza draw large crowds, and Black Friday Bonanza makes Starkville a destination for Black Friday shopping when businesses used to keep their doors closed,” Gregory said.
Besides collegiate sports, Starkville has also turned into a culinary destination for many tourists.
Restaurant Business Magazine’s August issue named the city the fifth-best location in the U.S. to open a restaurant. Edging out Starkville for the top spots were two cities in Hawaii — Kahului-Wailuku and Kapaa — Las Vegas, Nevada and Sevierville, Tennessee.
“This college town has put an increasing emphasis on dining over the past few years with lots of hungry college students and football fans to feed,” the magazine wrote, while also praising the Partnership’s annual Restaurant Week.
“Our restaurant growth really speaks to the culinary culture here in Starkville,” Gregory said. “There’s an entrepreneurial spirit with business owners looking to make it, and the community really gets behind new, local businesses.”
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 31 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 31 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
