A tremendous increase in hotel/motel tax revenue means a boost in promoting tourism in Marshall.

Marshall's tax rebate increased by 25 percent in 2005 – $584,271 compared to $464,662 in 2004. City Manager Frank Johnson said it will be a great help for Marshall's tourism efforts.

There are a number of organizations that rely on visitors and tourists as patrons who benefit from the revenue and "it's more than we can do now," Johnson said.

In addition, he said the revenue can help pay for a tourism study the city's newly-appointed tourism task force is about to begin as soon as a consultant is chosen.