High Point seeks to double state support
Larry Thomas -- Furniture Today, February 13, 2005
High Point — Organizers of the High Point market are seeking $2.5 million from the state of North Carolina for transportation and marketing expenses in its next fiscal year — more than double the amount of state aid the market received in the current year.
The money would be used to make more free shuttles available to market attendees, and would enable the International Home Furnishings Market Authority to more than double its marketing budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1.
Market Authority President Judy Mendenhall said the group has received $900,000 in each of the past two fiscal years from the state Department of Transportation. However, under a bill filed earlier this month in the state legislature, the $2.5 million would come from the state's general fund.
The bill, which was assigned last week to the Senate Appropriations Committee, would allot $1.3 million for parking and transportation system costs and $1.2 million for marketing expenses.
Mendenhall said the Market Authority will spend slightly more than $500,000 for marketing and promotion in the current fiscal year. Much of that money came from grants from state and local agencies.
The group also gets funds from a special tax on High Point showroom buildings, an occupancy tax for travelers staying at High Point hotels and motels, and contributions from the American Home Furnishings Alliance and the High Point Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Market Authority bracing for cuts
07/27/2009High Point Market Authority bracing for cuts
07/23/2009Market Authority seeks funding
03/15/2003Authority budget: $1.5M
05/04/2002
