Abby Hoover is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media the Hudson Tourism Board held its first official meeting of 2020 April 17. The group gathered virtually. Board member Chris McManus said that while the city has traditionally targeted weekend visitors from metropolitan areas, it should now consider a strategy to attract daytrippers from areas like Albany, the Berkshires and the lower Hudson Valley. “We also have to look at people who are going to get in their car and drive for 20 minutes, or they’re going to walk down the street,” McManus said. Board member Sidney Long suggested that Old Shiloh Baptist Church, which is under consideration for local landmark status, could be a site to draw tourists to areas of Hudson off Warren Street. Considering climate resiliency and child-centered spaces would make Hudson more attractive to visitors and healthier for residents, member Tamar Adler said. Community member Sam Merrit proposed the idea of Waterfront Wednesdays, a time for residents and visitors to celebrate and utilize the Hudson riverfront. McManus urged the board to collect and organize ideas for both immediate response and long-term recovery. Mayoral Aide Michael Chameides shared how the Tourism Board could use its funding for small, short-term grants for projects to take place during physical distancing, and larger long-term grants to plan projects for the recovery period. Corporation Counsel Cheryl Roberts said she has fielded multiple queries about using the board's $400,000 fund as part of a grant program for small businesses for expenses like payroll, utility bills and other costs. She said that was not possible because city funds cannot be used in this way under the state constitution. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.