Chapter Tour 3

Chapter Tour 3

TOURIST INFORMATION CENTER GRANTS

Tour 3.01   Authority.

Tour 3.02   Purpose.

Tour 3.03   Scope.

Tour 3.04   Definitions.

Tour 3.05   Use of funds.

Tour 3.06   Application procedures.

Tour 3.07   Department determination.

Tour 3.08   Contracts.

Tour 3.09   Record keeping.

Tour 3.01 Tour 3.01 Authority. This chapter is promulgated under the authority of s. 41.16 (3) (c), Stats., relating to grants to municipalities and organizations for regional tourist information centers created in 2009 Wisconsin Act 28.

Tour 3.01 History History: CR 09-111: cr. Register May 2010 No. 653, eff. 6-1-10.

Tour 3.02 Tour 3.02 Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to establish the procedures and guidelines for the distribution of department funding for tourist information center grants pursuant to ss. 41.16 (3) (c) and 41.16, Stats.

Tour 3.02 History History: CR 09-111: cr. Register May 2010 No. 653, eff. 6-1-10.

Tour 3.03 Tour 3.03 Scope. This chapter establishes the use of funds and defines application procedures, contracts and reporting requirements for the administration of the grant program for regional tourist information centers.

Tour 3.03 History History: CR 09-111: cr. Register May 2010 No. 653, eff. 6-1-10.

Tour 3.04 Tour 3.04 Definitions. In this chapter:

Tour 3.04(1) (1) “Department” means the Wisconsin department of tourism.

Tour 3.04(2) (2) “Eligible applicant” means any of the following and any combination of any of the following:

Tour 3.04(2)(a) (a) A nonprofit organization, as defined in s. 106.13 (3m) (a) 1r., Stats., whose purposes include tourism to or within the state or a particular region in the state.

Tour 3.04(2)(b) (b) An organization, including an elected governing body, of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state.

Tour 3.04(2)(c) (c) A city, village, town, or county.

Tour 3.04(3) (3) “Eligible costs” means any of the following and any combination of any of the following costs:

Tour 3.04(3)(a) (a) To staff the regional tourist information center.

Tour 3.04(3)(b) (b) To acquire promotional materials.

Tour 3.04(3)(c) (c) To acquire standard display equipment.

Tour 3.04(4) (4) “Region” means 2 or more counties in this state.

Tour 3.04(5) (5) “Regional tourist information center” means a key location for travelers to stop where department publications, statewide tourism association publications, and top destination publications are distributed, visitor counts are tracked, and trained tourist information staff are available during hours of operation that meet the travelers’ needs.

Tour 3.04(6) (6) “Tourist information center committee” means the group selected by the department to review tourist information center applications.

Tour 3.04 History History: CR 09-111: cr. Register May 2010 No. 653, eff. 6-1-10; correction in (2) (a) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register March 2017 No. 735.

Tour 3.05 Tour 3.05 Use of funds. Grant funds received by an eligible applicant may only be used for costs to staff the regional tourist information center, standard display equipment and promotional materials such as signage or equipment to promote the region. An eligible applicant may be reimbursed for up to $15,000 per organization per year. Applications will be reviewed twice a year, July and January. The application deadline is July 1 and January 1.

Tour 3.05 History History: CR 09-111: cr. Register May 2010 No. 653, eff. 6-1-10.

Tour 3.06 Tour 3.06 Application procedures. Any eligible applicant may submit an application to request that the department reimburse the applicant for up to 50% of eligible costs incurred to operate a regional tourist information center. An application for funding under this chapter shall be in such form as the department may require and shall include all of the following:

Tour 3.06(1) (1) The organization name, address, telephone number and contact person for the applicant and its federal employer identification number.

Tour 3.06(2) (2) The dates and hours of operation, the previous year’s annual visitor count, a list of publications distributed from outside the local community, a brief description of how the applicant provides information on and promotes Wisconsin businesses including cultural or recreational attractions in the region such as restaurant, lodging, campground and retail establishments, and a brief description of why the center’s location attracts tourists seeking travel information.

Tour 3.06(3) (3) A description of the operating cost, copy of the invoice paid and cancelled check. A payroll register is required for tourist information center staff cost. An eligible invoice and check or payroll register must be from the current or prior calendar year.

Tour 3.06(4) (4) Any other information the department may require to make a determination under this chapter and s. 41.16, Stats.

Tour 3.06 Note Note: Application materials can be obtained by writing to Tourist Information Center Grants, Wisconsin Department of Tourism, P.O. Box 8690, Madison, WI 53708-8690 or by calling telephone number 608.261.6272.

Tour 3.06 History History: CR 09-111: cr. Register May 2010 No. 653, eff. 6-1-10.

Tour 3.07 Tour 3.07 Department determination. The tourist information center committee shall review all applications and make funding recommendations to the department. Before awarding a grant under this chapter, the department shall determine all of the following:

Tour 3.07(1) (1) That the applicant provides information on and promotes Wisconsin businesses including cultural or recreational attractions in the region such as restaurant, lodging, campground and retail establishments.

Tour 3.07(2) (2) That the tourist information center is located in a place at which a tourist would be reasonably assumed to stop while traveling to or from a recreational or cultural destination.

Tour 3.07(3) (3) That the tourist information center will generate increased visitors into or within the state and make a positive economic impact in the region.

Tour 3.07 History History: CR 09-111: cr. Register May 2010 No. 653, eff. 6-1-10.

Tour 3.08 Tour 3.08 Contracts. Each successful applicant shall enter into a contract with the department which shall be signed by the secretary of the department and the chief executive officer of the applicant or the applicant’s authorized representative.

Tour 3.08 History History: CR 09-111: cr. Register May 2010 No. 653, eff. 6-1-10.

Tour 3.09 Tour 3.09 Record keeping. Each successful applicant shall maintain those records necessary for the department to determine that grant funds were expended in accordance with the terms under this chapter. The records shall be maintained for a minimum of 3 years following the award of grant funds under this chapter.

Tour 3.09 History History: CR 09-111: cr. Register May 2010 No. 653, eff. 6-1-10.