eogden@minotdailynews.com
Minot was full of activity last weekend resulting in a large number of people staying at local hotels.
Stephanie Schoenrock, executive director of Visit Minot, the local convention and visitors bureau, said this past weekend Minot hotels had “80 percent occupancy, which is terrific.”
Schoenrock said this was the first time the local hotels have had an 80 percent occupancy since the fourth quarter of 2019.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on businesses and others during 2020 and into 2021.
Schoenrock said Minot has about 2,600 hotel rooms.
She said last weekend brought to Minot many people for a number of events including the Class B Girls State Basketball tournament.
Feb 3, 2021
Minot has been selected to receive $1,500 to support a downtown geocaching and exploring project from the Main Street Initiative Vibrancy Grant Program, the North Dakota Department of Commerce announced Monday.
Minot is one of 12 communities picked in round two of the Main Street Initiative Vibrancy Grant Program, in which $16,500 may be awarded. The Vibrancy Grant Program requires a local match and actual release of any funds would be as reimbursement of community investment.
The Minot Downtown Business and Professionals Association applied for and was awarded the grant to enhance the downtown neighborhood geocaching network by creating 12 new geocaches focused on the history, stories and sites of downtown Minot. According to the DBPA, this small-scale vibrancy project will add a spark of activity to the neighborhood and add to the walkable experience for both residents and visitors. The DBPA is primarily partnering with Visit Minot and SRT Communications and will be
City Council in the Pledge of Allegi-
ance
the Mayor announced that Congress
passed the year-end funding bill au-
thorizing federal funding for Phase 4
of the Mouse River Enhanced Flood
Protection Project. He thanked Se-
nator Hoeven and the rest of the
Congressional delegation as well as
City staff who worked to secure the
funding. He said they also approved
a one-year extension for the Nation-
al Disaster Resiliency grant, adjust-
ing the deadline to September 2023.
He thanked Congressional staff, par-
ticularly Senator Hoeven, for all of
their effort and emphasized the im-
pact to Minot and the region.
Olson moved Ross seconded and
jschramm@minotdailynews.com
The Minot City Council approved a contract with Visit Minot Monday that puts $477,000 toward expanding tourism, particularly sports-related tourism.
Step-hanie Schoenrock, executive director at Visit Minot, said the intent hasn’t changed from the plan outlined to the council a month ago.
“In a nutshell, we’re committing to a minimum of $10 million in economic impact over the next three years,” she said. “The total ask is $477,000 total over the next three years, and the three components are data collection management, destination development, and then the team events, tourism and development components.”
The council voted 6-1 to support the convention and visitor’s bureau agreement, which takes effect Jan. 1. Council member Tom Ross was opposed.
Coronavirus pandemic takes tolls of Minot hotel business
by Kim Fundingsland, The Associated Press
Posted Dec 21, 2020 1:01 am EDT
Last Updated Dec 21, 2020 at 1:14 am EDT
MINOT, N.D. The impact of the coronavirus pandemic couldn’t be more evident than it is for Minot’s hotels. Business has plummeted. People haven’t been travelling. The Canadian border has been closed for months. Social distancing has put an end to hosting events like banquets, wedding receptions and Christmas parties.
While hotels are certainly not the only businesses impacted by COVID-19, their empty parking lots and lobbies are vivid reminders of the ongoing economic effects of the pandemic.