LANSING – A plan sponsored by State Representative Kate Ebli (D-Monroe) to create jobs for Michigan's workers through an aggressive $60 million tourism promotion fund is now headed to the full House floor for a vote. The bipartisan Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources Committee unanimously approved Ebli's plan and advanced it.
"My plan holds tremendous potential to ramp up our state's economy and bring much-needed dollars into our local communities, which will create jobs now for the hard-working men and women of Michigan," Ebli said. "Tourism is one of our state's top industries, and my plan capitalizes on the tremendous rate of return that's generated from investing in tourism promotion. By aggressively marketing our state, we will attract more visitors and draw more investment dollars – and that will create jobs today for our residents."
Tourism generates more than 193,000 jobs for Michigan residents. Every dollar invested in advertising generates $3.43 in spending – which is an outstanding rate of return for any investment.
Ebli's plan directs the Michigan Strategic Fund Board to establish a Michigan Promotion Program to be funded by the 21st Century Jobs Fund. The fund would receive $60 million for the program from the refinancing of tobacco settlement bonds that were securitized for the 21st Century Jobs Fund.
Ebli noted the successes of the state's current advertising campaign. The "Pure Michigan" campaign earned the Mercury Award for Best State Tourism Campaign. Ebli's new initiatives, which will build off of this already effective campaign, will make Michigan one of the 10 most aggressive states when it comes to tourism promotion.
"The sooner we launch this promotion initiative, the sooner we boost the number of tourists and investment dollars to Michigan," Ebli said. "My plan is about creating jobs today – not a year or two from now, but today."
Ebli served as chair of the Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources Committee today, and she is also chair of a bipartisan state panel aimed at boosting tourism across the state.