2020 tourism plan for Westmoreland County includes more than $834,000 in new projects

Saturday, March 7, 2020

The 2020 tourism plan for Westmoreland County includes more than $834,000 in new projects and reserves a large prize for what officials hope one day will be spent on an aggressive marketing campaign for attracting tourists to spend more.

Projects include upgrades to county parks, financing for the annual Arts and Heritage Festival and building the visitor’s and education center at Historic Hannastown in Hempfield.

“It’s not a huge number this year, but we are trying to save money for a marketing plan,” said Commissioner Gina Cerilli.

The 5% tax on room rentals is turned over annually the Laurel Highlands Visitor’s Bureau for promoting regional destinations and paying for local grants.

Commissioner Sean Kertes said that the money could be used to create a marketing plan for promotion of the county as a tourist destination.

“We want to find the best way to market Westmoreland County. We can do this through television, billboard and radio adds,” Kertes said. “We’ve always discussed bringing people into Westmoreland County, and we have to show our assets we have here.”

Commissioners said similar marketing plans publicizing nearby Washington County have been successful, and this makes it feasible to do the same here.

“This could include creating a logo, a mission statement and a slogan,” said Commissioner Doug Chew.

Commissioners also pushed for a $12,000 project to buy paddle trikes for Twin Lakes Park and more than $55,000 for musical performances this year at the parks and grants given to local artists.

The final tourism plan still needs to be approved by the visitor’s bureau.

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