By Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkar/local-wkar-949857.mp3
Lansing, MI – A House committee is expected to vote next week on a plan to temporarily finance the $20 million per year Pure Michigan tourism promotion campaign.
The plan would tap a state venture capital fund to pay for Pure Michigan for the rest of this year while the Legislature makes another attempt to come up with a permanent source of money for the campaign. Tourism business owners showed up to express their support.
Dan Musser's family runs the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. He credits Pure Michigan with drawing more out-of-state visitors to his resort.
"As successful as it has been, I believe that as many people have come to this state, there are many more that have Michigan on their list to visit," Musser says.
Musser says Mackinac businesses are going to split the costs of a $1 million nationwide ad buy with the state's tourism agency. The Henry Ford history museum in Dearborn will do the same. Musser says this shows businesses are willing to pony up their own money to help promote tourism in Michigan.