Once upon a time, a visitors center was a place to grab a map and get directions, maybe find out what roads were closed, or advice on a good place to eat or stay.
For a county that still likes to see its reflection from 1850, what should a Mariposa County Visitor Center look like in the 21st Century, when cell signal permitting, almost everyone has maps, Yelp and Instagram on their phone?
What’s its raison d’etre?
The Mariposa County Board of Supervisors will be considering those questions at its meeting on May 12 as it receives responses to a request for proposal (RFP) from three bidders to take over the contract, which last year cost $211,000.
One of those proposals is from the Mariposa County Chamber of Commerce, which has operated the visitors center at 5158 Highway 140 for 36 years.
In addition to the information specialists, the center includes a gift shop and a Gold Mine Escape Room.
The chamber set off alarm bells last week with flyers around town and a social media post titled, Save Our Mariposa Visitor Center.
“Mariposa County staff is recommending that funding for our Visitor Center be awarded to a company based outside our community in Madera County,” said the chamber’s April 28 post.
“This decision could take away a vital, locally run resource that supports our businesses, promotes our town, and keeps tourism dollars right here where they belong.”
Mariposa County issued a clarification, or perhaps a rebuttal, the next day saying that no decision has been made, although staff will have a recommendation.
“There is no intention to remove or no longer provide a Visitor Center in the heart of Mariposa County, with local knowledge and experience at the forefront. Services provided by any group or company will remain local, and we welcome creative solutions and collaboration,” the county said in the post.
Juliette Vuillaume confirmed she is the so-called “Madera County bidder” for the project.
Vuillaume, 28, operates Yosemite Foothills, an Oakhurst based branding and content company. She created a podcast called “Foothills Under 30,” that profiled young leaders in Mariposa and Eastern Madera Counties.
She has also been involved in the branding and storytelling for Fresno Flats Historical Village & Park.
Vuillaume said her plan would call for a physical location, but she declined to say where.
“I’m not here to be the villain or steal people’s jobs, I want to be the change in the world I want to see,” Vuillaume told the Mariposa Gazette in a phone call last week.
While she declined to talk about the specifics of her plan while its under consideration, it sounded like it would involve a larger digital footprint.
She acknowledged there are people “50 to 70” who “don’t know how to make pictures and content.”
“But a lot of people travel through social media, and they care what’s going on.”
Vuillume was a bit stung by the social media chatter that the contract might be going to a “Madera company.”
“I want to make Mariposa better with tools and talent. I want to make it the best place. I’m young and I want to raise my kids here,” she said.
The company behind the third proposal is not publicly known.
Mariposa County issued a request for proposals (RFP) for visitor services in January that sought an in-person location and expanded digital footprint.
“The county is seeking innovative proposals that address the ways in which the world is changing and visitors are seeking and obtaining information. Both in-person and online visitor services should be included in the proposal,” the RFP said.
Several observers noted the proposal seemed to duplicate marketing, web and social media services already provided by the Yosemite Mariposa County Tourism Bureau (MCTB), which has a significant online and branding presence for the county.
The bureau receives about $3 million a year from a Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) assessment of 1.5 percent on lodging in the county.
MCTB is not involved directly with the Mariposa County Visitors Center.
In Madera County, the tourism bureau and visitor center are a combined entity.
All three proposals for the Mariposa County Visitor Center will be available in the Mariposa County Board of Supervisor’s agenda packet on May 7, in advance of their May 12 meeting.
The Mariposa County Chamber of Commerce, which initially came out hard and fast on the potential changes, has gone “radio silent,” said its new chairperson Trevor Dixon.
Gabe Edwards, another chamber board member, said they’re keeping their powder dry until May 12.
“Our understanding of what we need to do is thorough and clear,” Edwards said.
“We are a well oiled and well functioning machine,” he added.
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