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The Dare County Tourism Board held its scheduled March 19 meeting with a half dozen members physically present, a half dozen participating by conference phone call and one member with an excused absence.

Following the regular Pledge of Allegiance and moment of silence, the board voted to approve four fireworks grant requests:
– $11,838.00 to Avon Property Owners Association
– $12,831.00 to Town of Kill Devil Hills
– $12,831.00 to Town of Manteo
– $12,500.00 to Town of Nags Head

Board members then agreed to table discussions and any action on a budget amendment from the Grants Committee and several event grant award recommendations until at least the April meeting.

“We are hopeful by that point that we will be in a better position to understand what the impact of all this will be to our budget,” explained executive director Lee Nettles, with regard to the coronavirus. “When we come out of this we are going to need every tool that we have at our disposal, and events are going to be a part of that so adding money to the budget right now does not seem to be prudent.”

Nettles went on to say that because things are changing on a daily basis at both the state and federal level, the paid social media outlets prompting visitors to come to the Outer Banks have been put on hold for the time being.

“Hopefully this will be over by May,” Nettles added.

Nettles said also that with Governor Roy Cooper’s Executive Order prohibiting all restaurants from providing indoor and/or outdoor dining services, a lot of restaurants are transitioning to drive-through and delivery only services.

Other discussions included the impact delays to the U.S. State Department J-1 visas for cultural and educational exchange students will have for local employers and the potential for employment of high school students during the summer season.

As talk continued, it was decided that it would be best to postpone a planned research study. Nettles agreed and said he would contact the research company.

In other business for the day, the board approved the minutes from the February 20 meeting and a planned update from National Park Service Superintendent Dave Hallac was postponed to a later meeting.

The next Tourism Board meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. on April 16 in the Curtis Creech Memorial Boardroom at the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau Administrative Office in Manteo.

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