Warren County government has taken tentative steps into tourism development.

The county’s Economic and Agriculture Development Committee met to consider adding tourism to its list of its endeavors.

“We are here to support and make recommendations to aid the Agriculture Extension Office, the Warren County Airport, Industrial Development Board and the Warren County Agricultural and Livestock Fair,” said Commissioner Carl D. Bouldin, committee chair. “It has been recommended that we add tourism to the list.”

Commissioner Gary Martin said, “I think that would be good, if we can do it.”

Historically, county government has not been involved in tourism development, which refers to the growth and maintenance of the tourism industry.

“I don’t know who we would be working with,” said Bouldin. “Warren County actually doesn’t have anything for tourism. I don’t know who we would be working with when it comes to tourism.” 

County Executive Jimmy Haley suggested Warren County Chamber of Commerce due to county government being a Chamber member. 

“It’s not just McMinnville. It’s the McMinnville-Warren County Chamber of Commerce,” said Haley. “The city has the Tourism Development Board.”

Bouldin replied, “If we do include tourism, do we need to extend a welcome or invitation out for the Chamber and to the city’s Tourism Board to come and present any thoughts or ideas that they think the county could help with?”

Committee members, as well as the full Warren County Commission, unanimous voted to include tourism into the list of endeavors by the county’s Economic and Agriculture Development Committee.