Adopted by Borough Council · August 11, 2025
Council voted on August 11 to put the Borough on record behind a change in how Blair County markets itself to visitors. Resolution No. 2025-04 supports the Blair County Commissioners’ request to certify a new official Tourism Promotion Agency — Discover Blair County — and to retire the county’s former agency, Explore Altoona.
Adopted unanimously
In favor: all members present — Robert Dollar, Sarah Hunter, Ken Patterson, David Snyder, Tammy Wills, William Wiser. Absent: Rob Poust.
Under Pennsylvania law, each county can have one designated Tourism Promotion Agency, or TPA. The TPA is the body the Commonwealth recognizes to promote travel and tourism on the county’s behalf, which makes it eligible to receive state tourism-marketing funds and to coordinate regional promotion. Because only one agency holds that certification at a time, replacing the existing TPA requires the county to de-certify the old agency and certify a new one — and that is the step the Commissioners asked municipalities like Tyrone to support.
The effort began in fall 2024, with the goal of broadening the county’s tourism work to include asset development, land acquisition, trail expansion and visitor promotion. Discover Blair County is an affiliate of the Blair County Alliance for Business and Economic Growth, tying the county’s tourism push more closely to its broader economic-development work.
Council had first taken up the matter in March 2025 but tabled action at the time, waiting to see whether Blair County would move forward. The County has since gathered enough votes to de-certify Explore Altoona, clearing the way for the new agency — and prompting Council to add the Borough’s formal support this month.
For residents, the practical effect is indirect: this resolution does not change any Borough service, fee or ordinance. It signals Tyrone’s backing for a county-wide reorganization of how tourism is promoted and funded across Blair County, work that supporters hope will draw more visitors and investment to the region, Tyrone included.
On record: Resolution No. 2025-04 is part of the public meeting record at the Borough Office, 1100 Logan Avenue. Tourism Promotion Agencies are certified by the state through the PA Department of Community & Economic Development; learn more about the county at Blair County.
Browse every Borough Council ordinance and resolution, plus updates from across Tyrone’s departments.
