Justin Allen

Staff Writer

The Anson County Tourism Development Authority (TDA) is looking for ways to advertise the area to more people.

Director Dave Smith brought up the possibility of Google ads to the rest of the group on Wednesday.

He recommended budgeting $10 per day each month to have ads displayed at the top of search results on searches for “Anson County lodging.” The ads are only paid out of an account if a person clicks on them at a rate of $1.17 to $1.75 per click.

After discussion of how the ads are presented, the TDA decided to look into setting up a payment method. Anna Baucom also recommended looking into updating GPS devices with locations in the county.

Smith presented a summary of a Governor’s Conference he attended. He offered quotes from Roger Dow, the president and CEO of U.S. Travel Association, on how important tourism to every economy.

“Tourism is the easiest way to raise money,” Dow said. He added that one in nine Americans are involved in the industry. People coming to the country is a $1.8 trillion business.

Baucom praised the recent efforts to erect new “Welcome to Anson County” signs. “I’ve never seen people voluntarily give money for a county initiative,” she said.

The signs are expected to be finished in June.

The group continued to discuss making changes to its bylaws. The discussion included ways to raise money aside from the occupancy taxes it receives in order to help fund more events or advertising of Anson. The TDA resolved to form a finance committee to look into the matter.

Chairwoman Nancy Cornwell repeated her wish to add “teeth” to the bylaws on attendance.

Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge manager J.D. Bricken said a recent episode on UNC-TV featuring the refuge had created good publicity.

“We had a big spike in visitation,” he said. He asked visitors from around the Charlotte area and they all told him the episode had spurred their visit.