Business

County T&T earmarks $100,000 for new stage

Music on Main attracts 60,000 people downtown, T&T leaders say.

By Bill Moss, Published: April 28, 2012

Henderson County's Travel and Tourism agency agreed this week to set aside $100,000 for a permanent stage and outdoor pavilion next to the T&T headquarters.

During its regular meeting this week, the board agreed to request the money for the fiscal year beginning July 1. The board has not yet made firm plans to build the stage but has talked about a permanent stage and a pavilion the public could use for events.

Music on Main, the Friday night summertime event, draws 60,000 visitors downtown. The old wooden stage is dilapidated and needs to be replaced, said Beth Carden, interim executive director of the tourism-promoting agency funded by the county's hotel tax. She spoke with engineers to get an idea of the cost.

"I think I've done the homework and I am in the ballpark" on projected cost of the work, she said. "These professionals have told me that I am."

The agency will request the money for the new budget then turn over planning to its facilities committee and seek input from county engineer Marcus Jones. Work won't start until after the Apple Festival on Labor Day weekend but T&T board members said the planning needs to get started soon.