East County Times Local News Essex MDUpdated 83.By Virginia Terhune Baltimore County spends less than some of its neighboring counties to promote its tourist attractions, including its 2.Patapsco River in Dundalk and the Bird River in White Marsh.But that could change next year, as funds begin to accumulate thanks to a County Council bill that will divert an 8 percent share of the countys estimated 1.Department of Economic and Workforce Development.County Executive Kevin Kamenetz allocated 2.FY 2. 01. 8, according to this years budget.CSuJgxIb' alt='Renew Drivers License In Columbia Md Movie' title='Renew Drivers License In Columbia Md Movie' />The Asahi Shimbun is widely regarded for its journalism as the most respected daily newspaper in Japan.The English version offers selected articles from.Relentlessly positive UFC golden boy Sage Northcutt has had a rough time of it lately, what with losing two of his last three and having had his most recently.Renew Drivers License In Columbia Md Movie' title='Renew Drivers License In Columbia Md Movie' />Meanwhile, new hotels in the pipeline should help boost tourism promotion even more, pending the results and recommendations of a soon to be undertaken study of the regional market.We believe an infusion of 8.Office of Tourism and Promotion and the Tourism Council the resources necessary to maximize the return on this investment, wrote Council Chairman Tom Quirk D Catonsville in his budget message for fiscal year 2.July 1. The quadrupling of funds is somewhat misleading, though, because the Kamenetz administration offset the increase by shifting 6.Arts and Sciences budget into tourism.SecurityStudy. Some of the 6.Irvine Nature Center in Owings Mills, the Maryland Fire Museum in Lutherville and the Glenn L.Martin Aviation Museum in Middle River, which is set to receive 7,0.But the bulk of the shifted grants a total of 5.Baltimore City, such as the Walters Art Museum and the National Aquarium.The city grants are a good investment, said Fronda Cohen with the Department of Economic Development, because convenient access to city attractions improves the quality of life for county residents.The grants arent blank checks, however the city organizations are routinely surveyed to ensure that county residents are among their patrons, she said.Access to Baltimore cultural institutions is also a plus for economic development because it helps attract potential employers to the county that generate jobs and tax revenue, said Will Anderson, director of Economic Development, during a May budget discussion.Hal Ashman, who owns Ultimate Watersports in Middle River, chairs the countys Tourism and Promotion Advisory Council, which is made up of appointees from both the city and county.He said he does not object to continuing to award grants to the city, but transferring that obligation to the tourism budget wont leave much to promote county attractions, at least in FY 2.June. Shifting the expenses over strips the purpose of the bill, he said.Kamenetz will leave office after the November 2.In the meantime, projects are in the pipeline to help generate more hotel tax revenue for the county that could expand the pie for all.Construction of the Marriott Spring.Hill Suites is well under way as part of the Baltimore Crossroads development off MD Route 4.Middle River, and new hotels are proposed for White Marsh, Catonsville and possibly Sparrows Point, as the Tradepoint Atlantic site develops over the next five years.Regional study. Part of the renewed focus on tourism in Baltimore County is the allocation of 1.The purpose is to establish a long term strategic plan on how to best spend the funds, said Ashman, who envisions a follow up marketing campaign based on the study recommendations.Two county employees currently work full time for the tourism program, and another person is being added to split his or her time between tourism and economic development.Employees manage the county tourism website, organize two Restaurant Weeks each year, and oversee the annual publication of Enjoy Baltimore County, a 4.Columbia and funded through advertising.Ashman said he and his executive board members recently met with Anderson, the economic development director, to talk about the pending request for proposal, a document posted by the purchasing department that solicits bids to do the study, which is expected to produce recommendations before next July.The council representatives recommended the county not necessarily pick the low bidder to do the study, he said.The Marine Trades Association of Baltimore County says it also wants input into defining the studys scope.Although briefly mentioned as a group in Enjoy Baltimore County, the countys tourism brochure, the marinas and waterfront attractions do not have their own section like the wineries and horse related events in northern Baltimore County, said Bob Palmer of Tradewinds Marina in Bowleys Quarters and a past president of the MTABC.More specific mention of eastern Baltimore County destinations such as the new i.Fly skydiving attraction in White Marsh, the longtime Bengies drive in theater in Middle River and the annual Defenders Day event in Edgmere are spread throughout the publication.Palmer said he is hoping that by joining others in the county wide study, the marinas can add to what they already do to attract visitors to the shoreline.For 2. 2 years, MTABC has published its annual Waterfront Guide, which lists dozens of marinas and marine related businesses along with local restaurants, hotels and retailers.Theres a multiplier effect, said Palmer about the spending that visitors do that helps support neighboring businesses.This years 5. 0 page edition includes a story about the expansion of recreational opportunities at Hart Miller Island, as well as listings of local waterfront parks and festivals that attract visitors.The Baltimore County Sailing Centers junior regatta off Rocky Point Park in Essex drew an estimated 5.July, including people from as far away as Texas and Colorado.The White Marsh hotels are booked, said Councilwoman Cathy Bevins, who represents part of White Marsh, Middle River and Bowleys Quarters, during the May budget discussion. 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Eastern Baltimore County also has the Hammerman beach at the mouth of the Gunpowder River and North Point State Park in Edgemere near the route the British took when they marched toward Baltimore in 1.The Todds Inheritance house, where American militia spotted the advancing British, recently opened to the public, and there are other historic sites such as in Dundalks Turner Station and the Ballestone Stansbury House in Essex.Eastern Baltimore County is also home to the Rocky Point public golf course in Essex and three craft beer breweries Red Brick Station in White Marsh, Du.Claw in Rosedale and Key Brewing in Dundalk.Seventh District Councilman Todd Crandell, who represents Dundalk and Essex, said he recently met a couple from Frederick County who made a special trip to Baltimore County to sample the beer at Key Brewing.Theyd never been to Dundalk, said Crandell, who envisioned a case where tourists could visit an east side brewery and waterfront restaurant, then head into Baltimore to watch a Ravens game.You could organize a Baltimore County weekend, he said about the potential for growth as a result of the pending study and its recommendations.All the elements are there, he said.Its an opportunity for the public and private sectors to really work together.For more information or to download a copy of the countys tourism brochure, visit www.Grants shifted to FY1.City 5. 00,0. 00.Baltimore Museum of Art 2.Center Stage 1. National Aquarium 1.Walters Art Museum 1.County 1. 34,7. Irvine Nature Center, Owings Mills 3.Patapsco Heritage Greenway river divides Baltimore and Howard counties 2.Gordon Center for Performing Arts, Owings Mills 1.Fire Museum of Maryland, Lutherville 1.Historical Society of Baltimore County, Cockeysville 1.Baltimore Chamber Orchestra performs in Towson 1.Towson University Asian Art Culture Center 1.Glenn L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum, Middle River 7,0.Contemporary Arts, Inc., Lochearn 6,0.UMBC Center for Art Design Visual Culture, Catonsville 5,0.NOTE County budget also includes separate line item of 2.Blue Angels Fleet Week at Martin Airport in Middle River.
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