McMinnville officials are considering the creation of a Tourism Development Authority.According to city attorney Tim Pirtle, the Tourism Development Authority would be similar to the Industrial Development Board (IDB), but while IDB focuses on industrial and retail recruitment, TDA would focus on promoting tourism.Its main powers would include the authority to hold title to property, to convey property, to lease property, and to sell property.“Most importantly,” said Pirtle, “it has the authority to authorize the issuance of tax-exempt bonds in financing tourism development projects, like the IDB has the authority to authorize the issuance of tax-exempt bonds for the purpose of promoting industry."Several years ago, McMinnville officials deeded the Blue Building over to the IDB to encourage industrial development by entering into an agreement with StrategicWire to lease the property with the intent of creating 150 jobs. The jobs never materialized and the property reverted back to the city.Speculation is interest has been shown in the purchase of the Blue Building property for tourism development. Much like they did with the IDB, McMinnville officials could deed the property to TDA and that organization could enter into an agreement with the interested party.