Travel, tourism supports 170 jobs in Henry County

State and local officials are celebrating National Travel and Tourism week this week (May 7-13).

Recently, the Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance was recognized for contributing to the state?s $8.06 billion tourism industry. As part of National Travel and Tourism Week, communities across the country celebrate what travel means to employment, economic growth and personal well-being.

In Henry County, 170 jobs are supported by travel and tourism in the county, according to the Chamber Alliance. Travel and tourism generates $310,000 in local tax revenue for Henry County.

One of the largest tourism events in the county is the annual Midwest Old Threshers Reunion, which runs for five days, ending on Labor Day. Mt. Pleasant City Administrator Brent Schleisman noted the importance of the event to Mt. Pleasant.

?Old Threshers brings people from all over to the reunion,? he began. ?One of the great things that people can enjoy at the reunion is the Richard E. Oetken Heritage Museums. They can view many displays: women partners on the land; farm implement store displays; gas station displays; printers? hall, steam engines display; and the turn of the century rural firehouse.?

Shawna Lode, manager of the Iowa Tourism Office, said the state values and appreciates its partners for the work they do year-round to enhance the state?s economy through tourism. ?We?re taking this special week to recognize communities, events, attractions, restaurants and lodging facilities in all 99 counties to thank them for those efforts.?

Travel is an integral part of the state?s economy because people who visit Iowa annually generate more than $450 million in state tax revenue that pays for programs that benefit residents. The industry also supports the jobs of more than 67,000 Iowans ? jobs that can never be outsourced to another location.

In addition to its benefits for the local economy, travel can also have a positive effect on personal well-being for residents of and visitors to Iowa. Numerous research studies have confirmed the positive health effects of travel and time off, from reducing the risk of heart disease to decreasing depression. Using time off to travel with family is good for everyone, especially our children ? kids who travel with their families are more likely to attend college and earn more as adults.

The Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance exits to improve the quality of life for Henry County residents through economic growth. The alliance includes the Mt. Pleasant Area Development Commission, the Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce, Main Street Mt. Pleasant and Henry County Tourism.