FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Area Senators: Senate passes legislation to improve park
and riverfront developments through distribution of innkeeper’s tax
(STATEHOUSE) – Many Tippecanoe County community projects such as improving Prophetstown State Park and redeveloping the Wabash Riverfront would receive funding through distribution of the local innkeeper’s tax, if a measure which passed the Senate today becomes law.
“This legislation is in response to citizens’ input on funding for many economic development projects in the county,” Sen. Brandt Hershman (R-Wheatfield), sponsor of House Bill 1250 said. “Many positive things will come from progress on the Wabash Riverfront and Prophetstown.”
Sen. Ron Alting (R-Lafayette), author of the legislation Rep. Sheila Klinker (D-Lafayette) and Rep. Joe Micon (D-West Lafayette) also helped move House Bill 1250 through the legislature.
“It is encouraging to see this legislation work its way through the process and to see the overwhelming support for this measure on both the local and state level,” Klinker said.
Tippecanoe County’s Convention and Visitor Bureau would receive 40 percent of revenues generated from the local innkeeper tax and 30 percent would go to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Hershman said 10 percent of revenues would go to Historic Prophetstown, 10 percent to the Wabash River Enhancement Corp. and 10 percent would go to Lafayette-West Lafayette Economic Development Corp.
“I look forward to witnessing first-hand the positive economic impact this legislation will have on our community,” Alting said.
Locally, the innkeeper tax is 5 percent of a hotel's lodging revenue. In 2007, the county innkeepers’ tax generated more than $1.7 million.
“With the governor’s signature Tippecanoe County can start working on these key initiatives,” Micon said. “Improvements to the area will create more business and hopefully encourage others to visit and enjoy Tippecanoe County.”
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Sen. Hershman represents Senate District 7, which includes Carroll, Clinton, Howard, Jasper, Tippecanoe and White counties. Sen. Alting represents Senate District 22, which includes Tippecanoe County.
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