Brainerd Chamber Expects A Good Economic Summer

Gas prices continue to hover in the $3.80 a gallon neighborhood and some of us are thinking about ways to reduce travel. Some would think that summer tourism business would suffer. Brainerd Lakes Chamber Executive Director Lisa Paxton said she expects a pretty good summer for her members. Paxton said 85% of summer tourists come from the Twin Cities and this area is about a half-tank away for most visitors. The chamber is also spending a lot of advertising dollars in the Twin City market to make sure tourists don't forget we're here. One of the big campaigns is the Oxpedition and the Ox-Trot. 22-brightly colored 'Babe the Blue Ox' statues are perched around the area, welcoming visitors to stop, take a photo and enjoy their summer vacations.