LANSING – State Representative Jeff Mayes (D-Bay City) voted Thursday for a comprehensive plan to grow Michigan's tourism industry by re-investing in the highly cost-effective "Pure Michigan" promotional campaign. The plan, which passed the House, will create a permanent funding source to help the program build on its enormous success in creating jobs and income for the state and local communities.
"We need to invest in effective programs that are producing economic results, and 'Pure Michigan' is one of those programs," Mayes said. "In the Bay Area, we know that tourism is vital to creating jobs and supporting local businesses. Establishing a stable source of funding for tourism advertising is the best way to protect those jobs and ensure that this major industry continues to thrive."
Tourism provides more than 193,000 jobs for Michigan residents. Every dollar invested in out-of-state advertising generates more than $40 for Michigan businesses and nearly $3 in revenue, according to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Tourism promotion funding has come temporarily from the state's general fund and tobacco settlement, putting "Pure Michigan" at risk. In fact, tourism funding was slashed by 82 percent this year, from $30 million in 2009 to $5.4 million, putting Michigan's national advertising campaigns on hold.
The House plan establishes the permanent Michigan Promotion Fund, using revenue from sales and use taxes that people already pay on tourism-related activities to support tourism-related programs, including the nationally acclaimed "Pure Michigan" ad campaigns.