The Mathews Economic Development Authority, meeting last Wednesday, heard a report from Laura Messer, Destination Development Manager of the Virginia Tourism Corporation, on the impact that tourism has had in Mathews since 2022, when a tourism action plan was developed for the county in cooperation with the Mathews County Visitor and Information Center. Between 2022 and 2023, the economic impact from tourism in Mathews increased by 3.2 percent, said Messer. It then rose another 5.9 percent between 2023 and 2024, reaching a total of $19.2 million in tourism expenditures over a year’s time. The numbers for 2025 are due to be released this month, she said, and is “very optimistic” about them. On Oct. 27, there will be a workshop with MCVIC and businesses in the county, she said, and in January, the tourism action plan will be updated in cooperation with MCVIC, which is Mathews County’s destination marketing organization. Messer said the Statewide Strategic Action Plan for 2026-2029 reflec...