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County Tourism, Planning departments expected to merge

By Melanie Lekocevic

CATSKILL — The Greene County Legislature is considering a move that would consolidate two departments, and could lead to a savings of $100,000 in its first year alone.

Shared services and consolidation of agencies is something the state has been encouraging municipalities to do, and several towns and villages across the county are contemplating similar moves.

At tonight’s meeting of the legislature, officials are expected to pass a resolution that would merge the Greene County Tourism Promotion Department into the Greene County Department of Planning and Economic Development.

The new department would be known as the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Planning.

“Greene County is taking an important step forward with the consolidation of these two departments,” said Wayne Speenburgh, chairman of the Greene County Legislature. “We are taking two strong organizations and making them even stronger by combining them into one.”

At Monday night’s meeting of the legislature’s Government Operations Committee, the committee unanimously voted for the consolidation, and the entire legislature is expected to adopt the resolution tonight.

If they do, then according to the resolution the move would enhance tourism activities, provide a single coordinated marketing strategy in line with the county’s economic development goals, and offer more effective delivery of tourism services through a pooling of resources and staff.

The consolidation of the two departments is expected to achieve a cost savings of at least $100,000 in its first year, through greater efficiencies, better deployment of staff, and the elimination of redundancies. The staffs from the two departments will be fully integrated with no immediate job cuts expected. Additionally, the county’s Tourism Visitors Center at Thruway Exit 21 will remain open to provide tourists with assistance and information about visiting Greene County.

“In today’s economy and with the current budget crunch, it makes more sense than ever to look at ways that Greene County can operate more efficiently without sacrificing the quality of its programs and services,” said Interim County Administrator Dan Frank. “The integration of these two departments achieves that goal and aligns our economic development and tourism objectives.”

The decision to consolidate tourism with economic development is not a new idea. New York State Tourism is operated under the auspices of the New York State Department of Economic Development, and other states, regions and counties have taken the same step.

“Governments across America are exploring ways to streamline operations. The consolidation of these two departments into a single, highly coordinated department is a great move for Greene County that will pay rewards for years to come,” said Legislator Karen Deyo, who is chairman of the county’s Government Operations Committee.

Warren Hart, who currently serves as director of the Department of Economic Development and Planning, will continue to run the newly consolidated department. And, he says, pairing tourism with economic development is a perfect fit.

“Tourism is economic development,” Hart said. “In Greene County, tourism is our largest industry sector, accounting for significant revenue and jobs for our residents. It is critical that our initiatives are strategic, well coordinated and complementary, since people who visit Greene County often come here with an eye toward moving, buying and investing here.”

The Tourism Enhancement Program, which was established in September 2005, and active throughout 2007, is an example of Greene County economic development and tourism initiatives working “hand-in-hand,” cites the Department of Planning and Economic Development.

The program, spearheaded by the Department of Planning and Economic Development, utilized federal funding through the Small Cities Community Development Program to assist the county’s resorts, lodging, restaurants, attractions, and other tourism-related businesses with enhancements of their properties. The grants helped pay for exterior and facade improvements, signage, furnishings, installation of high-speed Internet service, and additions of restaurants, conference facilities, and gift shops. The Blackhead Mountain Lodge and Country Club, Bavarian Manor Country Inn, The Thompson House, Fairlawn Inn and The Country Place Resort are among local tourism businesses that were awarded $25,000 matching grants through the program.

In addition to the Tourism Enhancement Program, Greene County Planning and Economic Development regularly makes loans through its revolving loan programs to tourism-related businesses. The Windham Country Club, Yanni’s III, Cameo’s Restaurant, Scribner Hollow Lodge, and Zoom Flume Water Park are among recent Quantum Fund loan recipients.

“The tourism industry in Greene County faces ever-mounting challenges with changing trends in the global travel industry,” said Hart. “We must seek new ways to be creative, capitalize on our proximity to the New York metropolitan area and cultivate our rich, historic, arts, cultural, and natural resources to attract more visitors year-round.”

Greene County’s new Comprehensive Economic Development Plan, adopted by the legislature in July 2007, stresses the importance of tourism advancements to the county’s economic growth.

“This merger formalizes collaboration between the two departments that has been evolving over the past few years,” said current Director of the county’s Tourism Promotion Department, Daniela Marino. “It’s a smart business move by Greene County that should help reinvigorate and renew our tourism initiatives through development of a new tourism strategic plan.”

Portions of this story were reported by staff writer Billie Dunn.

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