Not Enough Funding From Slot Machines - Beckley, Bluefield & Lewisburg News, Weather, Sports

Not Enough Funding From Slot Machines

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By Kelsey Borza, Reporter - email

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BECKLEY -

A state tourism official says an advertising fund fueled by video slot machine revenue doesn't have nearly enough money to meet all the requests.

As of last month, the Division of Tourism had $1.4 million in grant requests but just $200,000 in the Matching Advertising Partnership Program account.

Anna Plantz, director of cooperative tourism, said Friday that some applicants will be turned down and others will have to settle for less. She says it's been clear for years that money from video slots at West Virginia's race tracks was decreasing, and it has finally reached "a critical phase."

The program has provided grants to a variety of attractions, including The Greenbrier, The Resort at Glade Springs, whitewater rafting, and convention and visitors bureaus.