While Franklin’s monthly tourism authority’s meeting covered familiar ground by funding local events, major changes are coming to the board’s processes and the way the town looks.
For starters, the Tourism Development Authority updated its funding application process.
Organizations or individual promoters applying for financial assistance must take a more professional approach to the old process. Project descriptions and budget breakdowns, as well as an applicant’s signed commitment to use public funds per their request, will make or break an event’s chances for TDA assistance. In addition, organization’s will need to prove they used the money according to the Authority’s funding requirements.
Also, timing for requests is now quarterly. The TDA will not review grant applications at every monthly meeting.
Under the proposed schedule:
- First quarter (January – March): Applications due Dec. 15.
- Second quarter (April – June): Applications due March 15.
- Third quarter (July – September): Applications due June 15.
- Fourth quarter (October – December): Applications due Sept. 15.
TDA members acknowledged that not all organizers may learn about the new system immediately. The board therefore discussed allowing some flexibility with the first-quarter deadline and establishing a transition period.
Event coordination
Another topic of discussion was improving coordination and access to information about local events.
Events often compete with each other for attendance. In recent meetings, board member Colin McGinnis pointed out that many events took place on the same Spring weekend unnecessarily. Organizers are not always aware of other events planned for that day, hurting their own events.
The TDA wants to take a more active role in coordinating the events calendar, including helping organizers plan dates more effectively and avoid unnecessary scheduling conflicts.
Also, event information is scattered across various organizations, websites, Facebook pages and calendars. This makes it difficult for both residents and visitors to find comprehensive information about what’s happening in town.
The goal is to make ExperienceFranklinNC.com the primary resource for information about major local events.
Mural project moves forward
The movement to add artistic flare to Franklin’s appearance through murals is moving forward. With new murals adding to the visitor experience, board members Hannah Edwards and Heather Dombroskie evaluated recommendations from the TDA planning subcommittee and joined forces to move forward with a downtown mural project.
They identified potential buildings, locations, and property owners to request permission to use their walls, and started looking for artists interested in participating.
The mural subcommittee will review artist portfolios to select potential candidates. Once the locations and artists are finalized, the organizers will develop a project budget.
“We would like to give artists the freedom to express themselves within reason,” Dombroskie said.
TDA approves $6,000 for hiker shuttle
The authority continued its discussion of an application from Macon County Transit for its Hiker Route, which offers free transportation to downtown Franklin from the Appalachian Trail from March through May 2027. The funding request totaled $6,000.
TDA members, including Chairman Tim Crabtree, emphasized the importance of the initiative and expressed support for the project. Crabtree suggested using the budget line item for undesignated miscellaneous funds to cover the request, because “It’s not really a festival or an event.”
Board members highlighted the economic benefits to local businesses of hikers visiting town. However, Colin McGinnis raised concerns about the organizers’ most recent financial report. “I didn’t think they presented a very good summary of where the money went.”
McGinnis supported funding the initiative but said he would like to see a clearer breakdown of expenses and a more detailed explanation of how the requested $6,000 would be spent.
Heather Childress also suggested using bus sponsorship as an additional tourism marketing opportunity. She proposed placing QR codes on the buses or seatbacks featuring Franklin’s local restaurants, shops and attractions.
Ultimately, the authority approved $6,000 request.
Recovery Festival considers format changes
Mary Guercio presented a report on the sixth annual Come Together Recovery Festival, held Sept. 25. The event was dedicated to supporting people suffering mental health challenges and substance use disorders.
The festival featured 12 informational booths hosted by local organizations and support groups, including Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-Anon and the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Representatives also took the stage to share information about their work.
Activities included children’s entertainment, face painting, a silent auction and a food truck, along with free coffee and water.
According to Guercio, attendance was lower this year. She estimated that approximately 80 to 100 people attended throughout the day.
She attributed the decline primarily to a scheduling conflict with the Macon County Fair resulting in an overlap between the two events. As a result, some organizations, including the health department had to choose which event to participate in.
“We believe broadening the spectrum of the crowd would help,” she said. “So we’re looking at, instead of saying recovery festival, a mental health festival. That way, recovery would be a smaller part, and the people that are there in recovery wouldn’t feel like they’re under a microscope.”
The situation once again highlighted the need for a centralized Franklin events calendar, an issue TDA members raised repeatedly in previous meetings.
The organizers provided TDA with all receipts and documentation verifying how the grant funds were spent.
McGinnis specifically praised the quality of the organizers’ financial reporting, noting that this was the level of transparency and detail TDA expects from all grant recipients.
Ruby Drop
The authority also reviewed an application from Crabtree Family Enterprises seeking funding for the annual New Year’s Eve Ruby Drop. Organizers requested $6,500 to purchase tents that would provide heating and more comfortable conditions for visitors and musicians during the celebration.
Crabtree recused himself from the discussion because of his personal interest in the project. Steve Crabtree, another board member, was not present.
Organizers announced an extension of the social district hours during the celebration until 12:30 a.m.
The board will work with Stewart Communications in its efforts to attract television media to Franklin to cover the Ruby Drop, which could bring additional attention to Franklin and the holiday event.
Budget and September revenue
The financial report presented at the meeting covered the authority’s budget status as of Sept. 30, 2026.
The figures included:
- Expenditures: $55,478.12
- Encumbrances: $113,121.88
- Balance: $169,521.88
Crabtree said September’s revenue figures, a total of $15,420.62, was the fifth-highest revenue figure on record for that month.
“It’s above our 10-year average, but it is down from the previous year,” Crabtree said.
Interim town manager joins
At the beginning of the meeting, Crabtree introduced Sarah Bishop as Franklin’s new interim town manager.
“I think you guys have a really great moment for good things. You’re doing a lot of great work, so I’m very excited to dig in,” Bishop said.
The next regular TDA meeting is scheduled for Dec. 14, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in the Board Room at Town Hall.
