The city’s tourism tax is rebounding after a downturn because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “We’re getting there, but not quite,” said Parsons Economic Development Director Jim Zaleski. Officials budget the city’s transient guest tax at approximately $145,000 annually for funding income. “We expected that to increase in 2020 with the new hotel,” Zaleski said. “COVID hit.” “To be honest, we’re a lot stronger than what we thought we might be, so that’s good news,” Zaleski added. In February 2020, the Holiday Inn Express, 1500 Cattle Drive, opened, but travel across the state and country was shut down in March due to the pandemic. Since then, travel has increased and begun to gradually return to normal.
Source: Parsons Sun