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Green County gets tourism grant
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Green County Tourism received a $34,640 marketing grant from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism. Pictured in the front is Noreen Rueckert, Green County tourism director. In the second row, from left, is Kathleen Grossen, Monticello Chamber; Wisconsin Secretary of Tourism Stephanie Klett; and Nancy Sutherland, Brodhead Chamber. In the third row is Susie Weiss, New Glarus Chamber, and Pam Christopher, Monroe Chamber. In the fourth row is Bill Ross, Monroe Mayor; Jerry Elmer, Brodhead Chamber; and Nic Owen, Village of New Glarus. (Photo supplied)
MONROE - Green County Tourism received a $34,640 two-year destination marketing grant from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism. Wisconsin Tourism Secretary Stephanie Klett presented the grant last week.

The project will focus on implementing marketing research conducted during the first-year grant in order to grow tourism in the area. The project's goals include a 5-percent increase in visitor spending during the grant timeframe and a 3 percent increase of total spending for the year.

The project continues to implement a research-based marketing strategy founded on Green County's combination of natural resources and heritage, along with the artistry and mastery involved in industries such as cheesemaking and brewing. Green County worked to leverage these assets through advertising. Grant funds went toward a comprehensive marketing plan including print, radio, TV and outdoor advertising in the Madison, Chicago and Rockford markets.

"A previous branding grant from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism gave us the foundation of research necessary to play to our strengths," said Noreen Rueckert, Green County tourism director. "This grant reinforced that investment of support from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism and was essential in development of a marketing campaign that was focused, on point, and true to the brand."

In fiscal 2013, the department funded 56 Joint Effort Marketing projects, awarding a total of nearly $1.2 million. Visitor expenditures driven by the marketing from these projects will exceed $36 million. The combined traveler spending in these five counties is $485 million supporting more than 5,000 jobs and $50 million in state and local revenue. Traveler spending in the counties was up more than 7 percent in 2012.

JEM grant funds are available to non-profit organizations for promotiing Wisconsin tourism events and destinations. For information, visit industry.travelwisconsin.com.