Skip to content

ADVERTISE WITH US | EMAIL: KROX@RRV.NET

CROOKSTON VISITORS BUREAU LOOKING TO BE PLACED UNDER CHEDA SUPERVISION TO ALLOW THEM TO OPERATE FINANCIALLY

On Wednesday morning, the Crookston Visitor’s Bureau (CVB) sent a request to Crookston Mayor Dale Stainbrook, Interim City Administrator Angel Weasner, and the City Council asking to be allowed to operate under the Crookston Housing and Economic Development Authority (CHEDA).

Laurie Stahlecker, Owner/operator of the Crookston Inn, said that after Monday’s meeting, the CVB felt CHEDA would be more professional and have more open communication. “This morning, we did send a letter to the Council and Mayor requesting us to be moved under the CHEDA Board,” said Stahlecker. “The reason we did that was after Monday night’s Council meeting; I think its more professional for us to go under CHEDA where the communication is open a little bit more.”

There is some uncertainty about whether such a move is possible. City Attorney Corky Reynolds said Monday, and in the past, he doesn’t believe the CHEDA can serve as host for the CVB. CHEDA Executive Director Craig Hoiseth has stated that CHEDA’s attorney feels it would be possible under the economic development authority provided there is an agreement reached similar to what the City of Crookston previously had with the Crookston Chamber.

Stahlecker said the request is temporary, “we would like to be underneath them until such time our 501C6 status is obtained.”

Stahlecker had said during the Ways & Means Committee Monday that the CVB was waiting on the financial records to submit it’s 501C6 application. However, Reynolds said they wouldn’t need the financials of the former CVB because the organization filing is a new, separate CVB. The application process for 501C6 status to operate independently is estimated to take six months to a year for approval.

The letter sent to by the CVB is below – 

Dear Crookston City Council, Mayor, and Interim City Administrator,

The Crookston Visitors Bureau (CVB) would like to formally request that our entity be placed under the supervision of the Crookston Housing and Economic Development Authority (CHEDA) Board of Commissioners.

The reasoning behind the request being that the August 10 Ways & Means Committee meeting displayed the lack of trust, knowledge, communication, and support that the City of Crookston seems to have with the CVB, and we were denied the opportunity to present in a professional manner.

We do not anticipate these types of issues under the supervision of the CHEDA Board as we were offered a spot under their umbrella with the city’s permission after we approached them at their May 19 meeting.

After obtaining legal counsel, CHEDA was informed that nothing prevents them from accepting this responsibility; however, the city must provide documentation granting lodging tax authority.  A copy of the document is attached to this email.

CHEDA’s Board of Commissioners may also be willing to serve as the liaison between the CVB and Crookston Chamber of Commerce to promote partnership and further both of our agendas.

Please consider this request promptly as we have already lost months of opportunity following the Chamber’s decision to terminate the former agreement with the City for the Crookston Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Thank you for this consideration,

Laurie Stahlecker- Owner/ Operator Crookston Inn
Corey Dallager- Owner/ Operator AmericInn Crookston
Share:
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,