A May 12 deadline date was set by the Wood County Industrial Commission Board of Directors for applications to receive hotel occupancy tax funds at their monthly meeting held at Yantis Café Thursday evening.

“That basically will give our communities two months to get the word out. That gives us time for the hotel committee to meet and get applications back in. We can set it all up for during the last part of May into June so that in the July meeting the board can vote and accept the committee’s recommendations,” Sue Hitzeman, board chairman, said.

In another matter, the commission discussed the benefits of advertising with Trip Advisor. “I’m just bringing proposals here. I am trying to promote our lodging industry,” WCIC Executive Director Kiki Bettis noted. “I am looking for ideas out here to try and really help the hotel lodging industry in Wood County. If this is not it, I will keep looking. I am open for suggestions.” It was decided a small sub-committee would study the various options and will report back to the board.

Bettis reported the WCIC had approved a grant to Winnsboro Elementary School for books. “This commission awarded a UCC grant to the Winnsboro Elementary School for books. They had a presentation to give away those books at Winnsboro Elementary,” Bettis said. “They had a huge banner that said thank you to their sponsors, Ford Motors and the WCIC. Inside each book it says ‘this book donated by Wood County Industrial Commission and Texas Ford of Winnsboro.’ The kids absolutely loved it.”

Each community gave a short summary of what was happening in their towns and areas. The next meeting will be April 6 in the Holly Lake community.