McMinnville officials passed a resolution Tuesday night declaring their intent to participate in the Tennessee Adventure Tourism and Rural Development Act of 2011 and designate the boundaries of the city as an Adventure Tourism District.A measure was passed unanimously by Mayor Jimmy Haley, Vice Mayor Ben Newman, and Aldermen Mike Neal, Ken Smith, Jimmy Bonner, Rick Barnes and Billy Wood in the form of a resolution. Officials began considering making the entire city an Adventure Tourism District after hearing from state Rep. Judd Matheny in October about the benefits of the act, which authorizes Tennessee governments to establish such districts in their boundaries to foster economic development through the promotion of adventure tourism sports.Matheny sponsored the act to promote outdoor recreational opportunities such as equine and motorized trail riding, white-water rafting and kayaking, rappelling, road biking, rock climbing, hang gliding, spelunking, shooting sports, mountain biking, canoeing, paragliding, ziplining and other such activities.Becoming an Adventure Tourism District could encourage new business to locate in the city, such as outfitter shops, kayak rental businesses, extreme sports shops, etc. Despite the decision to designate the entire city as an Adventure Tourism District, participation by business owners and landowners is optional. Benefits will be given to those who do.