Readers respond to call for tourism tax suggestions

February 28th, 2009 at 06:40pm Chuck Sweeny

I said I’d post more suggestions about what to do with some the 6 percent bed tax collected on people who stay in Rockford hotels. Currently it all goes to the Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. I think a substantial portion needs to be put to building up tourist atractions and making the city more presentable to people who come here.

So, here are some of those suggestions from readers:

“In response to your Feb.24, 2009 article regarding the use of the tourism tax, let me offer my perspective on tourism. My family and I moved to Rockford from Phoenix in January of 2008. Prior to moving, my family I commuted to Rockford from Phoenix for nearly a year. I have lived all across this country and have learned that to draw the interests of visitors, any area needs to have something(s) special or unique “hooks” which it can celebrate.

“One of Rockford’s hooks already exists. The Rock River Region celebrates some of the greatest geographical formations in the state. As the only county in Illinois with four rivers, along with the deepest gorge in the state and numerous beautiful parks and wetlands, Winnebago County and Rockford can promote this natural beauty of the area.

 ”Perhaps the best use of a tourism tax is combination of yours and Mr. Puri’s comments: the selling of a bond to fund “bricks and mortar” projects, including projects that promote our natural resources. These projects might include expanding the activities on the Rock River (restaurants, boat fuel, river kayaking, etc.), expansion and sharing of seasonal activities (winter skiing, snow boarding and snow shoeing on city golf courses and at city parks), organizing regional or national outdoor games and providing other services that support outdoor enthusiasts. 

 ”Believe it or not, there are over 10 million people within 90 miles of Rockford. Only a few places in the country have this many people so close. I have driven at least 90 miles for many different outdoor activities: water and snow skiing, hiking, mountain biking, canoeing and kayaking, to name a just a few. The Rockford area has the natural resources to offer all of these activities to our residents and many of these 10 million people that do not have these options nearby. Each visitor would pay fees for activities and buy meals (and maybe lodging) during their stay. This would increase the tax base for the city and fees to the different park systems. In turn, this will support additional improvements and construction. These visitors would ultimately finance future improvements.

 ”Since moving to Rockford, I have visited with many civically engaged residents either as a result of their careers or their volunteerism. This is one of the distinguishing characteristics of Rockford. Our citizen’s collective generosity and care for our community runs deep. However, we cannot move forward in silos. We must work and thread together the various initiatives or “hooks” to make Rockford great again. I believe that becoming a regional adventure tourism destination is one of those “hooks” that we must maximize.

Mike Paul (Mr. Paul is a candidate for Rockford Park Board)

Here’s another one:

Mr Sweeny:

My wife tells me you’re looking for ideas for Tourist Attractions for Rockford.  Actually, I read your column, too, and was heartened at your mention of a Whitewater Rapids Kayak Course.

Madison, WI has a world-class retail store called Rutabaga which featuries a comprehensive line of canoes and kayaks.  However, Madison has no whitewater.  The NW surburbs of Chicago has an even more well-known world-class store called The Chicagoland Canoe Base.  You don’t even need to guess about its inventory.  But thery have no whitewater neither.

If only Rockford had some whitewater, we’d be situated right smack between two of the Midwest’s best sources of equipment!  People from both of those regions would flock to Rockford to use our whitewater.

Not only that, but as soon as local folks discovered how much fun the visitors from Madison and Chicago were having in our whitewater, they rush over to either Madison or Chicago to buy themselves some kayaks, too.  It don’t take no genius to suspect that we might eventually have a world-class retail outfit of our own selling kayaks and canoes like there was no tomorrow.

Naysayers need only read accounts written by sages such as yourself telling about the success of the whitewater course built in the city of South Bend, Indiana some twenty-five years ago.

Let me give you and the rest of Rockford an inside tip, they don’t import kayaks and canoes from China, nor any other third-world manufacturing wunderkind.  Kayaks and canoes are manufactured right here in the good’ol USA.  Talk about a “Stimulus Package”, Rockford could become a key element in a SURGE of kayak and canoe buying by water-crazed consumers.

And those who cannot afford to buy a ready-made kayacjk or canoe can maybe build one from a kit.  The acquisition of boatbuilding skills might even give Rock Valley College and idea to list Kayak Building in their curriculum.

Stuff like this snowballs, ya’know.  I myself would love to develop a cottage industry devoted to the making and selling of custom kayak and canoe paddles.

Hey, all we have to do to get this snowball rolling is to dig a  damm ditch and put some big rocks in it!  How hard is that?

Nick Scheuer   

And another:

I agree with your suggestion that tax dollars need to be spent on attractions.  I think allocating even a third on marketing is too much.  Of course, the marketing segment wish to retain their jobs, but who doesn’t?   If you build it, they will come….not, if you just “talk” about non-destinations. 

The improvement to the infrastructure, an “East Bank Rockford”, and a whitewater rapids course all sound great.  Even though our climate differs from the San Antonio River Walk, there are attraction adjustments that can make our river walk a destination.  Think of ideas for the Four Seasons. 

 As a Rockford native, I remember the fun winter sports…sledding, ice skating outside on Sinnissippi lagoon, etc.   We have an indoor ice skating rink, but it’d be great to have a “free” outdoor rink as well, for the ambience of the river walk.  If we have some “free” activities, people will come and still spend money on their day(s) here, in other venues.   We could build some gentle hills for family sledding, have hot chocolate “warming houses”, etc.  I am sure there are many ideas to appeal to a variety of interest groups.  In my experiences as a tourist in other locations, I like a variety of activities.  I may not choose to do all, but I have that option.  Even within this economy, shopping continues to be a major activity.  With the YMCA, bike path, library, museums, and art showcase all downtown, we already have a base of attractions to the Rockford native.  Invite tourists to join the Rockford experience. 

Our city receives much criticism, but having lived elsewhere, I can appreciate Rockford, which has strong roots to support many new dreams.   

Carol Markley

Entry Filed under: Uncategorized