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Funds for capital projects are not available in the state tourism budget, but marketing money is, Dardenne said. Although he couldn’t give a specific amount, Dardenne said funds from the BP settlement for last year’s oil spill are available for one-time expenses, and he pledged to push some Sabine’s way.
Ideas included encouraging Louisiana-based fishing shows to feature Toledo Bend and its fisheries and an advertising campaign.
“Those shows can be done quickly with information on access points “ยป to provide shorter relief,” Dardenne said.
The Louisiana Gulf Coast is experiencing similar perception problems with its seafood sales in wake of the oil spill, he said.
“This is a start right here,” Buckeye Landing owner Cindy Salter said as she thanked the state officials for showing an interest with their plight.
Most in the room agreed the greatest numbers of visitors come from South Louisiana then from Beaumont and Houston. One business owner said oil and gas workers have helped somewhat to fill the rental gap, but those, too, are moving out.
Pat Ross Glisson, who along with ex-husband, Gene, own Toledo Town Inn on state Highway 6 and Texas Harborlight on the Texas side of the reservoir, shared how their Louisiana business’ revenue is down 60 percent over the past 13 months.
Hours of operation have been cut; however, so far, all employees have a job. Fortunately, Glisson said, Toledo Town Inn was a cash purchase, so there’s no debt to service. But she planned to go Friday to the bank to deposit personal funds to make payroll.
“We’ll survive,” she said, which is questionable for the Texas business where monthly earnings have dropped from $50,000 to $60,000 to about $12,000 and workers have been laid off.
Al Drewett of Toledo Fiberglass said the lake is drawing those people who know how to access it, and they are finding that even though Toledo Bend is half its size, “there are just as many fish.”
Fishing guide Jerry Thompson echoed that thought, saying “fishing is spectacular and continues to get better.” Getting the word out that “they can catch fish” is the key, he said.
Article source: http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20111112/NEWS01/111120348/Help-sought-marketing-Toledo-Bend-area
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