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<br />Town of Lexington <br />Tourism Committee <br /> <br /> <br /> Dawn McKenna, Chair info@tourlexington.us <br />1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420 <br /> <br /> Tourism Committee Minutes <br />3:30 pm Thursday, December 9, 2021 <br />Conducted Remotely <br /> <br />Members Present: Marsha Baker, Kerry Brandin, Bebe Fallick, Dawn McKenna, Erin Sandler-Rathe, Elsie Xu <br />Also Present: Doug Lucente, Select Board Liaison, Sandhya Iyer, Economic Development Director, Casey <br />Hagerty Economic Development Coordinator and members of the Center Committee, including Fred Johnson, <br />liaison to the Tourism Committee <br />Members Absent: Sarah Boulos, Margaret Coppe, Wim Nijenberg <br /> <br />This meeting was a joint meeting with the Center Committee. For more information see the minutes of the Center <br />Committee. The Tourism Committee was called to order at 9:01 am. <br /> <br />1) American Rescue Plan Act Funding Recommendations <br /> <br />Lexington is scheduled to receive approximately $10 million in funds in two payments. These funds do not <br />require appropriation from Town Meeting. The federal legislation allows for specific purposes for use of the <br />funds, particularly aimed at stimulating the economy and providing funds to help cover additional COVID related <br />costs that were spent by municipalities. While ultimately decisions for spending the funds rest with the Select <br />Board, (as stated in the meeting by Doug Lucente) staff had prepared lists of priorities from all Town <br />Departments. <br /> <br />Both the Tourism Committee and Center Committee felt that a significant portion of the funding should be used <br />to support economic stabilization, particularly to small businesses. Additionally, the Tourism Committee felt that <br />the losses from the shutdowns of both the Liberty Ride and Visitors Center should be reimbursed to the respective <br />Revolving Funds. <br /> <br />Questions asked at the meeting included: How will the flexible funds be allocated? What would the participatory <br />process look like? What is the Select Board’s overarching strategy for use of the funds? What will define success? <br />Could the funds help with attracting a mix of businesses to the Center? <br /> <br />In addition to supporting the Liberty Ride and Visitors Center funds, new ideas included: increasing marketing <br />funds to attract visitors, providing rent subsidies to businesses, creating an incubator space to support retail <br />startups, ensuring that funds will be provided to the businesses, not the landlords. A larger conversation also was <br />recommended regarding events as a catalyst for bringing people into Lexington Center. Suggestions were made <br />for funding the Cultural District recommendations as part of the application process, funding the Stone Building <br />renovation into an active place, an East Lexington streetscape project, and funds set aside to host events similar to <br />Revolutionary Revelry. <br /> <br />There was much common ground. It was agreed that Dawn and Jerry would work on a joint statement to the <br />Select Board. Each Committee will also submit separate recommendations as needed. <br /> <br />Adjourn Upon motion duly made and seconded, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 10:15 am. <br /> <br />Respectfully submitted Dawn E. McKenna <br />Approved: September 15, 2022