Southern Indiana Business Report
A southern Indiana county that was ranked last in the state for tourism revenue is making strides to develop a strong foundation for tourism growth.
The Pike County Chamber of Commerce has spent the past several years establishing a foundation and planning a long-term strategy for growing tourism.
Jill Hyneman, executive director of the Pike County Chamber of Commerce, shared what the county has been doing since learning it was ranked 92nd in Indiana for tourism revenue. The result has been a coordinated effort to create a sustainable tourism strategy, build local pride, and establish the infrastructure needed to support future visitor growth and economic development.
“When we began this journey, Pike County had no innkeepers tax, no tourism commission, no destination marketing organization, no knowledge of tourism and no tourism development plan,” said Hyneman. “What we did have were community assets, dedicated people, and a vision for what Pike County could become.”
The Chamber first focused on learning from tourism professionals across Indiana by building relationships with destination organizations, participating in the Indiana Tourism Association, joining regional tourism networks and attending statewide conferences and training programs.
Using data from the Indiana Destination Development Corporation’s economic impact reports, the Chamber identified a clear need for action. Pike County’s low tourism ranking highlighted that the issue was not a lack of attractions or community strengths, but rather a lack of structure and investment.
To build internal community support, the Chamber launched the Powered by Pike designed to strengthen local identity and community pride during a time of economic transition.
Over the past three years, tourism funding has steadily increased, beginning with a county tourism budget of $1,200 in 2023 and growing to $15,000 in 2026, along with support from private partners and local sponsorships.
A major milestone came in November 2025, when Pike County unanimously approved both a 5% innkeepers tax ordinance and the creation of a tourism commission. The innkeepers tax is a tax paid by overnight visitors staying in local lodging accommodations such as hotels, Bed & Breakfast and short-term rentals. It is not a tax paid by Pike County residents unless they choose to stay overnight in a local lodging property. This tax does not impact camping sites in Pike County.
The purpose of the tax is to create a dedicated funding source that supports tourism promotion, destination development, events, and visitor experiences that benefit the local economy. The tax officially went into effect on March 1, 2026, creating a dedicated funding source for tourism promotion and destination development.
Most recently, Pike County partnered with Ball State University’s Indiana Communities Institute to develop a tourism strategic plan focused on asset mapping, visioning, priority setting, and long-term implementation strategies.
“This work is about much more than marketing,” Hyneman said. “Tourism development means creating a system of funding, governance, partnerships, and a plan that supports long-term economic growth for Pike County.”
The Pike County Chamber looks forward to continuing this work with community partners, local government, and residents as the county moves from 92nd to next.
For more information, contact the Pike County Chamber of Commerce at [email protected].