John Coffelt, Editor

The Manchester Area Chamber of Commerce has issued an official statement regarding a recommendation by the  Manchester Finance Committee to cut $13,000 in tourism dollars that have been allocated to the nonprofit.  

“We love Manchester and the people and businesses that make it a great place to live and work,” the statement said. “Although it was not our decision to cease tourism efforts, with or without funding, we will always be the City’s biggest cheerleader, encouraging visitors to enjoy its natural beauty, and take advantage of the great local shopping and dining options.” 

The Chamber’s statement disputes an assertion made by Alderman Mark Messick during the Finance meeting that the spending was wasted money. 

Listed were tourism efforts that include  creating videos encouraging sports teams and meeting planners to visit for their next tournament or meeting,  promoting local restaurants and shops that are both Chamber members and nonmembers, highlighting tourism assets through the Chamber visitor guide, and organizing  The Other Fest music festival that attracted visitors from over 20 states in 2022. 

The Downtown Manchester Christmas Stroll brought in shoppers from across the region to shop and dine.

The Manchester Chamber said it works to facilitate grants through the State of Tennessee Department of Tourism Development, secure funding through a federal tourism grant to bring a seasonal skating rink to Manchester,  place billboards on I-24 to attract visitors  and connect businesses and event organizers with resources to help them attract guests. 

In addition to tourism efforts, the Chamber also facilitates Lemonade Day Manchester.

The cut in funding to the Manchester Area Chamber of Commerce received a positive recommendation during the Nov. 18 Finance Committee meeting. A budget amendment will need to pass two readings before the Board of Mayor and Aldermen.   

John has been with the Manchester Times since May 2011. John has won Tennessee Press Association awards for Best News Photo and placed in numerous other categories. John is a 1994 graduate of Tullahoma High School, a graduate of Motlow State Community College and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Middle Tennessee State University. He lives in Tullahoma, enjoys painting, dancing and exploring the outdoors.