Erin Garvey
HANCOCK COUNTY — A board that oversees the county’s tourism efforts has a couple new faces.
Erin Garvey and Caitlinn Haynie have joined the Hancock County Tourism Commission. The Hancock County Board of Commissioners appointed both, replacing George Langston and Travis McMichael.
Garvey is a board member for New Palestine Main Street, which champions the town’s downtown. Haynie is a Shirley resident and the general manager of the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Greenfield.
Growing up in Franklin, Garvey developed an appreciation for community involvement as she watched her hometown be revitalized and bring in new businesses and events.
“I was excited to jump at the chance to be a part of something for the county,” said Garvey, who was Mrs. Hancock County 2021.
Working as a real estate agent keeps her well connected to the community, she continued, including what kinds of activities and events that catch residents’ interest. That background has helped her with event planning for New Palestine Main Street as well, she added.
“I think that’s really where I flourish, is bringing in new ideas to the table and rallying the community,” Garvey said.
She’s excited to learn about other towns in the county and all they have to offer.
“I love our county, and I hope that my time with the commission is productive, and I hope that I can help everybody wherever they need me, wherever I can along the way,” she said.
Haynie could not be reached for comment.
Brigette Cook Jones, executive director of Hancock County Tourism, said Garvey’s and Haynie’s youth, roles as mothers of young children and residences outside Greenfield will contribute to a diversity of perspectives on the commission.
“We want to have a wide range of individuals with a lot of different talents on the tourism board,” Jones said.
Jones noted that Haynie is general manager of the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Greenfield, owned by Mohan Reddyreddy, who also owns the Fairfield Inn & Suites in town and is building The Nest, a four-story building that will offer apartments and extended-stay residences just north of his Holiday Inn. Former commission member McMichael represented the Holiday Inn as well. Having someone immersed in the local hospitality industry provides valuable insight to the tourism commission, Jones said.
Greenfield Mayor Chuck Fewell reappointed to the tourism commission Amanda Everidge, who serves as president, and Kelly McClarnon. John Goss, Bob Mattsey and Jan Jarson also serve on the board.
An innkeepers tax that the county’s hotels pay funds the commission’s efforts.
The commission recently awarded $20,000 to Healthy365 for advertising its annual Hancock Flat 50 bicycle ride returning this August, which drew over 600 people last year. Of the award, $15,000 will be for the event while $5,000 will go toward hopes for resurrecting the Taste of Hancock County event the night before the ride. That part is contingent on getting green lights from other organizations that would plan the Taste event.
The commission awarded $8,761 as well for a national sheep show and sale, a new event with about 450 registrants coming to the county in April.
Hancock County Tourism is also getting ready to launch a new website with new features, one of which will gather information about county events from sources throughout the web.
