By KATIE JOHNSON
Niles Daily Star

The Four Flags Area Council on Tourism hosted a grand opening Friday at its new location, 404 East Main St., Niles, in the Historic Four Flags Hotel. It recently moved from the Four Flags Chamber of Commerce building at 321 East Main St.

Local dignitaries attended, including Rep. Sharon Tyler. Rep. John Proos, Miss Southwest Michigan 2010 Whitney Rehn Munger and the council’s board members.

Vocalists Greta Pope, of Chicago and Kevin Blair, of Niles performed. Local historian Donna Ochenryder provided presentations and displays of historic places in the  area.
Melinda Michael, executive director of the Four Flags Area Council on Tourism, is positive about the state of tourism.

“I’m very proud we live in southwest lower Michigan,” she said Friday. Michael said this tourism region is the only one in Michigan currently earning a profit.

“When we see tourism, we see jobs,” Tyler said. “We need to support the tourism industry.”

Proos agreed.

“It’s critical to making sure we have a welcoming community,” he said. “That means tourism is thriving in southwest Michigan.”

The event was co-sponsored by the West Michigan Tourist Association.

To learn more about the council, call 684-7444, e-mail info@four flagsarea.org or visit www.fourflagsarea.org. The council is also on Facebook, MySpace and Twitter.