Cottage Grove Convention and Visitor Bureau Meeting 6-2-26

The City of Cottage Grove MN held a Convention and Visitors Bureau meeting on June 2, 2026, focusing on several procurement and budget-related topics. Key discussions included the River Oaks golf course business plan for 2026-2030, highlighting past capital improvements totaling approximately $835,000 and plans for further upgrades such as enhancing practice facilities, patio improvements, and event space modernization. The board also reviewed the 2026 events plan, including food truck festival vendor selections and sponsorship opportunities. A significant update was provided on the RentalScape software used to identify and ensure licensing compliance of short-term rentals, aiding lodging tax collection efforts. The board received a preliminary 2027 budget presentation, projecting $71,550 in lodging tax collections and $23,900 in food truck festival revenue, with a focus on balancing the budget and optimizing marketing expenditures. Additionally, the meeting covered the ongoing website redesign project with vendor WA Fisher, emphasizing stakeholder feedback and responsiveness. The board unanimously approved the 2027 preliminary budget, signaling continued investment in tourism and community development initiatives. Discussions also touched on economic development efforts, including hotel market studies and infrastructure bonding dollars to support retail growth and connectivity.