Meeting Type: BCC Regular Meeting
Meeting Date: 6/1/2021
Item Status: New
From: Felisha Anderson, Director of Archives and History
Sherry-Lea Botop, Director of Public and Government Affairs
Submitted by: Felisha Anderson, Director of Archives and History
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ITEM TITLE
Title
Baldwin County Historic Driving and Walking Tour App
Body
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Staff will give a presentation on the expansions to the Historic Driving and Walking Tour App.
End
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Previous Commission action/date: July 21, 2020 - Last BCC Action
Background: The Baldwin County Commission authorized staff to apply for a Gulf Coast Resource, Conservation & Development (RC&D) Council grant in the amount of $5,000.00 to expand the Baldwin County Historic Driving and Walking Tour App for educational outreach, economic development and tourism purposes and authorized the Chairman to execute the documents related to the grant.
The app will be marketed to visitors looking to explore the County’s history and culture, but it also will be promoted as an educational opportunity for residents and students looking to better understand the significant historic sites of Baldwin County.
The initial phase of the app was a pilot project focused on historic sites in North Baldwin County. Phase I of the app was successful and is being expanded to encompass other areas and have a county-wide impact on tourism and historic education.
With this app, users can visit the sites and listen to the guided tour at their own pace while still receiving the same in-depth experience as everyone else. Users can choose their own topic of interest and engage in an immersive walking tour, rain or shine, or they can follow along from their vehicles - which can allow some of the County’s senior population to access various historic sites from the comfort of their air-conditioned vehicles.
As a community development tool, this app will enhance the tourism offerings in Baldwin County, which leads to further economic development of the County.
This app will offer students, residents and visitors alike an easy, customizable and affordable way to take advantage of the County’s natural resources as they gain a better insight into its history.
Mr. Blaine Chastang and Mr. Rickey Fields from Gulf Coast Resource Conservation & Development (GCRC&D) Council will be present at the meeting and Ms. Jennifer Foutch from Baldwin Realtors will attend the meeting to be recognized for her contribution to the historic app via the National Realtors Diversity and Inclusion grant fund.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Total cost of recommendation: N/A
Budget line item(s) to be used: N/A
If this is not a budgeted expenditure, does the recommendation create a need for funding? N/A
LEGAL IMPACT
Is legal review necessary for this staff recommendation and related documents?
N/A
Reviewed/approved by: N/A
Additional comments: N/A
ADVERTISING REQUIREMENTS
Is advertising required for this recommendation? N/A
If the proof of publication affidavit is not attached, list the reason: N/A
FOLLOW UP IMPLEMENTATION
For time-sensitive follow up, select deadline date for follow up: N/A
Individual(s) responsible for follow up: A brief synopsis of the project will be presented by Felisha Anderson, Director of Archives and History and a presentation of the app will be shown by Sherry-Lea Botop, Director of Public and Government Affairs.
Action required (list contact persons/addresses if documents are to be mailed or emailed): N/A
Additional instructions/notes: N/A