Lt. Gov. Visits Winona Lake
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
WINONA LAKE - Indiana Lt. Gov. Joe Kernan visited Winona Lake Friday as part of an Enjoy Indiana Week visit.
He toured the Billy Sunday Home and Visitors Center, promoting places and events across the state.
Speaking to a small group of citizens in the Sunday Museum, Kernan said that more than 120,000 Hoosiers owe their livelihood to the tourism industry.
"Tourism represents more than $6 billion in economic activity," Kernan said. "And much of that is outside money.
"Each out-of-state visitor spends an average of $700 during their stay."
The Democrat said that with gas prices continuing to climb, many families will make decisions based on economics and will stay close to home.
An important part of Indiana's getting the word out about attractions is the www.enjoyindiana.com Web site, which has about 150,000 "hits" per month.
"You have so much to be proud of here," he said of Winona Lake.
Paula Heckman, a museum volunteer, asked if Kernan's visit was an indication that the facility could become an Indiana State Museum.
"My visit is a recognition of what you've done here. Your representatives have made it very clear of their interest in the designation," he said to general laughter.
State Sen. Kent Adams of Warsaw and Rep. David Wolkins of Winona Lake were in the audience.
Larry McDermitt of the Ramada Plaza Hotel asked about more funding to promote Indiana.
"We need more revenues to stay in step with neighboring states and not be so far behind," he said.
Kernan said the General Assembly recently added $1 million per year to the Division of Tourism Budget, headed by John Gross.
"The lack of state funding has caused us to work closer together, to pool resources to advertise elsewhere," he said.
"We will continue to be your partners in any way we can." [[In-content Ad]]
WINONA LAKE - Indiana Lt. Gov. Joe Kernan visited Winona Lake Friday as part of an Enjoy Indiana Week visit.
He toured the Billy Sunday Home and Visitors Center, promoting places and events across the state.
Speaking to a small group of citizens in the Sunday Museum, Kernan said that more than 120,000 Hoosiers owe their livelihood to the tourism industry.
"Tourism represents more than $6 billion in economic activity," Kernan said. "And much of that is outside money.
"Each out-of-state visitor spends an average of $700 during their stay."
The Democrat said that with gas prices continuing to climb, many families will make decisions based on economics and will stay close to home.
An important part of Indiana's getting the word out about attractions is the www.enjoyindiana.com Web site, which has about 150,000 "hits" per month.
"You have so much to be proud of here," he said of Winona Lake.
Paula Heckman, a museum volunteer, asked if Kernan's visit was an indication that the facility could become an Indiana State Museum.
"My visit is a recognition of what you've done here. Your representatives have made it very clear of their interest in the designation," he said to general laughter.
State Sen. Kent Adams of Warsaw and Rep. David Wolkins of Winona Lake were in the audience.
Larry McDermitt of the Ramada Plaza Hotel asked about more funding to promote Indiana.
"We need more revenues to stay in step with neighboring states and not be so far behind," he said.
Kernan said the General Assembly recently added $1 million per year to the Division of Tourism Budget, headed by John Gross.
"The lack of state funding has caused us to work closer together, to pool resources to advertise elsewhere," he said.
"We will continue to be your partners in any way we can." [[In-content Ad]]