Baton Rouge Occupancy Tax Haul Exceeds Expectations

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — The January occupancy tax collections in Baton Rouge were $252,090 — 20.5 percent above the budgeted amount. The Advocate reports the amount was reported at a meeting of the Baton Rouge Area Convention and Visitor's Bureau board of directors Thursday. Bureau President Paul Arrigo said the bump in tax revenue is cause for the board to be optimistic about funding for the rest of the year. Arrigo said it could be an indicator that the economy is on an upswing. At the meeting, the board also unanimously approved the use of $27,500 to execute a contract with In-Flight Media to feature a two-minute video about Baton Rouge on Delta flights in July. Arrigo said the video will reach about two million Delta fliers.

(Information in the following story is from: The Advocate, http://www.2theadvocate.com)