The Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday requested a budget increase from the city commission for 2025.
The chamber asked for $1.65 million, which is up from last year’s request of $1.38 million, from the city’s transient guest tax funds on behalf of the convention and visitors bureau. That total is 60% of the fund’s estimated revenue.
Chamber president and CEO Jason Smith told commissioners that while this is an increase, the city and chamber previously have had an informal agreement that would allow the chamber to receive 60% of the transient guest tax funds. However, he said recently the city has been peeling more of that money for other projects such as the conference center and the field turf at Anneberg Park.
Smith said the funds “will be spent on additional marketing opportunities for the community” and that “there are no additional fixed costs that will come into that.”
The chamber board agreed to ask for the full 60% of transient guest tax funds after the convention and visitors bureau board requested it do so.
The chamber also requested $535,000 for economic develop. That is a 1.49% increase on its 2024 request.
The commission took no action on the request. It is scheduled to set its final 2025 budget in September.
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