Snyder OKs extra $10 million for Pure Michigan ad campaign

DEARBORN - Gov. Rick Snyder is sold on selling the state, signing a bill into law Thursday giving an additional $10 million into the popular Pure Michigan advertising campaign.
In a state facing a $1.4 billion deficit in the coming budget year, Snyder said the tourism campaign has been one of its success stories.

"It brought in more tax revenue than it has cost our state," he said of the campaign.

Pure Michigan's funding would be increased to $25 million this budget year. The extra funding will be moved over from the state's 21st Century Jobs Fund.

Pure Michigan campaigns promote the state's beaches, golf courses and other destinations to potential tourists. The extra $10 million will pay for regional advertising campaigns targeting cities such as Chicago, Columbus, Cleveland and Indianapolis.

The campaigns will focus on spring, summer and fall travel. A national advertising push is scheduled to start Monday, Snyder said.

State officials say visitors spend $15.1 billion annually traveling in Michigan, generating $850 million in state taxes and supporting 142,500 jobs. Being able to run the Pure Michigan campaign nationally in 2009 generated 680,000 new trips to the state from outside the Great Lakes region, according to a study conducted by the Longwoods International research firm.

Pure Michigan was launched by then Gov. Jennifer Granholm.