LAWRENCE COUNTY 3% room rental tax likely to be approved

An estimated $61,000 could be added to the county tourism budget each year.
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- A proposed room rental tax in Lawrence County has generated little opposition.
Six people, most members of the Lawrence County Tourist Promotion Agency, attended a public hearing Tuesday night at the county government center intended to generate public input on the proposed 3 percent tax that would affect all overnight lodging in the county.
The tax would be added to the regular charges at all hotels, motels, cabins and bed and breakfasts. Any money generated would go to the Lawrence County Tourist Promotion Agency.
Neighboring Mercer and Mahoning counties have similar taxes.
JoAnn McBride, TPA director, said her agency has researched room taxes in other communities for several years. She has said it could generate about $61,000 a year to help promote tourism in the county.
Reaction: Morris Green, owner of the Candleford Inn Bed and Breakfast in Volant, supports the tax.
"We have spent over $500,000 to promote Volant, to make it a tourist spot. The bed and breakfast has flourished and the TPA has been instrumental.
"But [business owners] spent that money out of our own pockets and we really need the assistance of the TPA."
McBride has said her $140,000 budget is tight and there is no room for any more promotion.
County Commissioner Brian Burick said he received letters from bed and breakfast owners, a hotel and a rental cabin operator supporting the tax.
Commissioner Roger DeCarbo said he got calls supporting the tax from groups that sponsor events in the county.
He noted that the ordinance allows some of the money to be used to promote events that require overnight stays.
Commissioners were unsure when they would vote on the issue. It must be advertised and on display for seven days before they can act on it.