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Crunch Time for Pure Michigan. Your Voice is Needed.

Submitted by Nate on Mon, 02/08/2010 - 11:54
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The Michigan Senate will hold a hearing on Thursday (Feb. 11) regarding funding solutions for the Pure Michigan advertising campaign, which generated $250,000,000 in tourist spending and $17,500,000 in state taxes in 2009. LIsten to Chamber President Doug Luciani's interview with Absolute Michigan regarding the Pure Michigan campaign by clicking here.

The first-ever Pure Michigan national advertising campaign brought 680,000 new trips from outside the Great Lakes region to Michigan businesses in 2009. Without a funding solution, this program, which generates $2.23 for ever dollar invested, will be cut by 82%, virtually eliminating the benefits on which nearly all Michigan businesses now depend.

Your voice matters in this crucial time for one of the state's top-3 industries. What can you do?

  • Call the office of your State Senator and respectfully state the following:
  • Pure Michigan needs both a short term and long term funding fix.
  • Please provide long term funding for Pure Michigan. Please take action to provide full funding for the 2010 tourism season.

*House Bills 5088 and 5089 are the original bills that mirror Senate Bills 619 and 620, these bills create a permanent funding source for the "Pure Michigan Campaign" by capturing a portion of the sales tax spent at tourism businesses.

The first-ever national Pure Michigan advertising campaign brought 680,000 new trips, $250 million in tourists’ spending, and $17.5 million in state taxes to Michigan in 2009. It returned $2.23 to Michigan for every dollar invested.

Northern Michigan needs your support for tourism by supporting the funding for "The Pure Michigan Campaign."

Senator Jason Allen (517) 373-2413

Senator Michelle McManus (517) 373-1725

In late December, The Michigan State House passed the three bills that support funding for the "Pure Michigan Campaign", House Bill 5018, 5088 and 5089. House Bill 5018 will allow the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to borrow money and issue notes to provide short-term funds of $30 million dollars for tourism promotion and $10 million dollars for the MEDC's business promotion campaign.

To view the research on the effectiveness of the Pure Michigan advertising campaign, visit http://bit.ly/aPxwl7.