Downsizing leaves Eastern tourism district intact

The state's regional tourism districts will be consolidated in January from five to three as the Commission on Culture and Tourism adjusts to statewide budget constraints.

The Mystic-based Eastern Connecticut Regional Tourism District will remain intact, Executive Director Donna Simpson said Wednesday, while the Fairfield area will be absorbed into the Western District and the New Haven area will be absorbed into the Central District.

The commission is working with a total of $1.8 million for the entire state, Simpson said. Each district is a not-for-profit agency governed by a board of directors that is, in turn, governed by state statute.

From now through December, the commission is providing $180,000 to each of the five districts, Simpson said. Then, next year, the remaining three districts will get $300,000 each, she said. In addition, in a separate line item, the Eastern District will get $100,000 for the entire year, while the other two reconstituted districts will get $50,000 each, she said.

So, for the 2009-2010 fiscal year, the Eastern district, which relied on $1.3 million during the last fiscal year, will end up with a total of $580,000 through June, Simpson said.

"I'm anxious to get rolling," Simpson said of her budget plan. "We need the marketing now more than ever. We have some things in place, but it's not the same as working it every day."

The commission gave districts the news about their respective areas Tuesday and will authorize final budgets by Oct. 22. Simpson submitted her proposed budget Wednesday.

"I'm hoping we'll be back in operation on or before Nov. 1," said Simpson. "We'll have a smaller crew, but the board will make that final decision on (Oct.) 23 when everything is signed, sealed and delivered. It's good news. We're moving in the right direction. We're excited to get back to work and get things moving along."

Commission Executive Director Karen Senich could not be reached for comment late Wednesday.

Simpson noted that her first priority in November will be to "meet with the district's board of directors and marketing folks to find out what the consensus is on priorities: what marketing tactics to use" given limited funding.

She said she also hopes to finalize the district's relationship with the Greater Mystic Visitor's Bureau, which was founded in June to replace the privately funded Mystic Coast & Country Travel Industry Association.

p.daddona@theday.com