Kimball, Tenn., Mayor David Jackson is seen in this file photo.KIMBALL, Tenn. – The Tennessee Bass Federation’s state tournament will be hosted by Kimball in late September 2014, but some city leaders aren’t sure it’s the right move for the town.
On Thursday, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted 4-1 to host the event on Nickajack Lake next year. Mayor David Jackson said the town will pay about $10,000 to host the tournament, and the Tennessee Bass Federation has estimated the economic impact for Kimball around $480,000.
Under the contract, the city will pay the bass federation $9,000 to bring the event to Kimball and around $1,000 — depending on room rates — for tournament officials’ lodging.
The city could net more than $20,000 generated from sales and hotel taxes, he said.
“Our sales tax has been down for the last two or three months in a row,” Jackson said. “I think we ought to take the opportunity to bring many people to town. You have to spend a little money to make money.”