The Lake Barkley Tourist Commission is reshuffling its budget after the Kuttawa City Council voted to leave the commission earlier this year.
Tourism director Debi Dodd says Kuttawa represented about a third of the commission’s $400,000 budget. She says the commission will now work with $260,000 collected through Lyon County’s transient room tax and the city of Eddyville’s restaurant tax.
“We’re not looking back and we’re very anxious about tomorrow and next year and the year after that," Dodd said. "We’re going to be here. We’re not going anywhere.”
Though the commission will have less money to publicize Lake Barkley, Dodd says she’s optimistic because of the Lake Bridges project and the resurgence of the Eddyville Mall. She said at least three new restaurants are coming to Eddyville this fall, including a new Station Burger Co. location.
Dodd said there’s been no dialogue with Kuttawa since it left the commission. She says this summer has seen strong business despite less-than-favorable weather conditions.
"Mother Nature has rained on us a few times, but it really hasn't stopped anybody," Dodd said. "Our hotels are doing well, our restaurants are doing very well."
