MONO COURTHOUSE 10 08As ski season draws near, the community of June Lake busily plans on ways to attract visitors in the absence of June Mountain Ski Area.

Jeff Simpson, Economic Development Assistant for Mono County, said he and others discussed plans for the community with the Mono Supervisors last week. Simpson said the plans include marketing, transit, ambience of the town, and events. The Mono Supervisors had approved the expenditure of $100,000 to help accomplish some of these new goals to keep the community economy afloat. Simpson said the money will go toward marketing, events and transit.

A community survey asked business owners and residents about a shuttle between June Lake and Mammoth Lakes – times and drop off places. Simpson said he and others are in talks with all shuttle companies including Mammoth Mountain Ski Area and Eastern Sierra Transit Authority. He said $20,000 of the funding is earmarked for transit once details are available through the community survey.

The Mono Tourism Commission and June Lake Revitalization Committee have also talked with the Forest Service about the potential for more cross country ski trails involving June Lake. Asked how residents want to improve the ambience of the town, Simpson said a better look when visitors arrive – better lighting to create atmosphere. He also mentioned package deals of lodging and lift tickets to Mammoth.

The Mono Supervisors also wanted to know at last week’s meeting if the Forest Service had issued a letter of non-compliance to Mammoth Mountain Ski Area for ending operation of June Mountain on a Forest permit. A Forest representative at the meeting said that letter has been issued. Although the future of June Mountain remains uncertain, Simpson did say community members are still working on finding a new buyer. Mammoth Mountain CEO Rusty Gregory had announced the closure of June Mountain some months ago. He had reported that June Mountain was losing around $1.5 million per year and the company could not continue to sustain that loss.

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