Save the Tour of Missouri--funding threatened by budget cuts

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Many media outlets across the state are covering a proposal to cut $1.5 million in state funding from the 2009 Tour of Missouri, effectively putting an end to the Tour this year.

Race supporters are asking fans to take a moment to call or email Governor Nixon's office to ask him to support funding for the race.

Phone: 573-751-3222 (voice mail is full right now--try during business hours)
Alternate phone: 573-751-5261
Online: https://governor.mo.gov/get-involved/contact-the-governors-office

Message: I support the Tour of Missouri. Please continue funding for the Tour this year.

The proposed budget cuts came about because of a shortfall of just 1.4% projected in the state budget this year--so there is really is no reason to take all of that out of just a few programs, much less successful programs like the Tour.

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:

The Tour of Missouri, which has grown in two years to one of the top cycling events in the United States, is being threatened with cancellation.

A memo dated July 6 from Linda Martinez, director of the Department of Economic Development, outlined $9.9 million in budget cuts, including a proposal to eliminate the $1.5 million allocation for the Tour of Missouri from the state's tourism budget.

"To receive word of this proposal is devastating," said Chris Aronhalt of Medalist Sports, which manages the race with the tourism division. "We're ready to go. We're at the no-turning-back point."

Earlier this month, Gov. Jay Nixon froze $325 million from the $23 billion budget approved by lawmakers in May because of projected shortfalls in revenue. . . .

The proposed cut comes at a time when interest in cycling is growing. Lance Armstrong has come out of retirement to go for an eighth Tour de France title and is just split seconds out of the lead after six stages. . . .

Proponents contend that the race, scheduled for Sept. 7-13, provides bang for the buck. Gary McElyea, a spokesman for Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, said the race accounted for roughly 8 percent of the state's $17.3 million tourism budget. He added that an economic impact study paid for by the state estimated that the race attracted 400,000 spectators and generated $25 million to $30 million.

"I don't have a budget big enough to buy the publicity that this race brings to us," said Bob Smith, interim tourism director. "And there's no price on the good will that comes to those small towns who get to see these amazing athletes." . . .

Among the teams that have committed to the race are seven currently competing in the world's premiere cycling event, the Tour de France, including Astana, the team for which Lance Armstrong rides. Armstrong is second after six stages of the Tour de France, less than a second off the lead; his teammates are third, fourth and fifth. . . .

Jeff Rainford, St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay's chief of staff, said that the mayor planned to call Nixon and lobby him to keep the funds for the Tour of Missouri. . . .

"It's a really great event, and we hope it can be saved," Rainford said. "It's worth saving."

More at SaveTheTourOfMissouri.com and on MOBikeFed's Tour of Missouri site.