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Lionado (Anonymous) says…

Furniture is a moot point on this endeavor. MCTA already owns the office furniture it needs, and the rest of the area will be used for display to promote ALL of Moffat County. Any staffing needs beyond the Director will be provided by volunteers. MCTA has already been approached by seniors in the area who would like something to do. OUr Colorado State Welcome Centers are manned strictly by volunteers which is what makes our Welcome Centers so welcoming. Paid staff rarely do the job as enthusiastically as volunteers. Money has already been allocated for this purpose. The space at the Museum was NOT going to be available to us any longer and the MCTA director had to move her office. Having a visitor center at the other end of Craig will help to ensure that more visitors have access to the information they need. The West end of the County has been ignored by the City State of Craig for too long. This will move will boost tourism to Moffat County.

iluvcraig (Anonymous) says…

I'm not sure I really see the logic in having a 3rd visitors center in a town the size of Craig. It just looks to me to be more taxpayer dollars being wasted by MCTA without a return of investment.

Lionado (Anonymous) says…

@iluvcraig - Not sure where your 3rd visitor center is located, but there is nothing on the West end of town. Given the fact that the Craig Chamber visitor center is not easily seen or accessed, having something in the mall to help people know what there is to do in Moffat County makes a lot of sense. Unfortunately, you weren't given very good information with the misleading statements that were in the paper about this move. Remember the MCTA is funded through lodging taxes - not through the general fund. Getting people into Moffat County is only the beginning. If we don't give them reasons to STAY in Moffat county for a few days, we lose the $$ tourists would spend. As I stated earlier, the MCTA office HAD to move - no choice there. It makes far more sense for the tourism Association to be responsible for tourism.

Oneofyourhunters (Anonymous) says…

From an outsider's point of view, I think having a visitor center with plenty of parking for RVs, horsetrailers (a lot of hunters bring their horses), ATV trailers, snowmobile trailers, etc., is great. I also think, from reading the newspaper and comments, having a vision of what tourism can do for your county is outstanding. With the downturn in the economy, it is good there is a Board of Directors that can make changes to the existing paradigm and isn't afraid of those who want things to remain the same. It is sad that a lot of people can't seem to grasp that if you do want you have always done, you will will get what you always got. Now, if you could change those one way main streets, driving through Craig would be so much easier. Keeping in touch!!

Oneofyourhunters (Anonymous) says…

Sorry, had to make a correction.

From an outsider's point of view, I think having a visitor center with plenty of parking for RVs, horsetrailers (a lot of hunters bring their horses), ATV trailers, snowmobile trailers, etc., is great. I also think, from reading the newspaper and comments, having a vision of what tourism can do for your county is outstanding. With the downturn in the economy, it is good there is a Board of Directors that can make changes to the existing paradigm and isn't afraid of those who want things to remain the same. It is sad that a lot of people can't seem to grasp that if you do what you have always done, you will will get what you always got. Now, if you could change those one way main streets, driving through Craig would be so much easier. Keeping in touch!!

cccbuds (Anonymous) says…

What is a tourism association supposed to do???? Promote tourisim. We in Craig are lucky to have the lodging tax paid by visitors, to be used to promote visitors. Each of the 3 visitor centers are alittle different so can better relate to all visitors. Be positive not so negative. This new director comes to the table with alot of new ideas and has already shown a working repore with different agencies to help develope the new visitors center with their contributions of material and she is setting up volunteers to help so is keeping the cost down. She has so much energy too. And why not in a mall? Not all visitors are hunters. Wives of hunters love to shop anywhere so the mall is a good choice. Hunters and other visitors go to Vallartas and it is practically next door to the new visitor center. Hunters and visitors buy groceries at Safeway, I have seen whole river raftin groups in the parking lot there. With signage there curiosity will lead them to the visitor center. Just because you haven't seen it done is a great oppertunity to start something new. Best of luck MCTA