Tour of Missouri funding still facing delays

Just a third of state tourism funds dedicated to the 2009 Tour of Missouri have been released, a month before the bike race is set to begin, KY3 News has learned.
The state's tourism director said his agency received notice that $500,000 had been released Tuesday. But apparently the state doesn't have the cash flow to immediately provide the remaining $1 million dollars Gov. Jay Nixon promised -- all at once.

"It's authorized to be released, but the state is having a tremendous cash flow problem. The money's just not there," said tourism director Bob Smith.

When asked when he expected to get the remainder of the funds, Smith replied, "I can't answer that, I don't know."

Nixon spokesman Jack Cardetti said the remaining funds "will be released in installments in the coming weeks." . . .

A spokesman for Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder, who chairs the state Tourism Commission and heavily lobbied to keep state funding for the race, suggested the money is still being withheld.

"Based upon conversations with the Director of the Division of Tourism, it is our understanding that $1 million in funding for this year’s race is still being withheld. I believe this could present some serious challenges with the start of the race just one month away," said Kinder spokesman Gary McElyea.