St. Charles CVB Seeks $526,500 in Funding

City officials, meeting as the Government Operations Committee, recommended approval of $526,500 in funding for the Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The CVB received the same amount of funding from the hotel tax for the past three years, said Amy Egolf, CVB executive director.

"I'm back, with my hand outstretched," Egolf said as she reminded the committee members of the enormous impact of tourism on the St. Charles economy.

With more than 50 percent of Tri-Cities hotels in St. Charles, Egolf called tourism a viable solution to supporting the economy. Se said despite a difficult economy, tourism in St. Charles is up and hotel receipts are at 2008 levels, the year the recession began. In 2008 tax receipts were about $2 million, according to a report Egolf filed with the city.

"I'll be happy when they're back at 2007 levels," she said.

If the city continues to fund the CVB at the same level, Egolf said they will be able to file for matching grants of $250,000 from the state of Illinois.