The Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau is submitting an application on or before Aug. 1 to have Austin considered as the site for the 2019 Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener.

Mayor Tom Stiehm has written a letter of support to event coordinator Lisa Havelka, which will be included in the application. In the letter, Stiehm wrote, “While our southwest part of the state has enjoyed acclaim for pheasant hunting, our region should not be overlooked and it is time to bring the GPHO to the south central part of the state to expand the realization that good pheasant hunting can be had in many other areas of our great state.”

“We have the accommodations, land requirements in a close proximity, facilities for the various events, and financial commitment to make the GPHO in 2019 a clear and ongoing success,” he added.

The Austin City Council approved a request from Austin Area Chamber Executive Director Sandy Forstner for a $5,000 donation toward the effort to bring the 2019 GPHO to Austin during its work session on July 16.

Forstner, along with Councilman Dave Hagen, is on the fundraising committee, which has an overall event budget of $80,000.

Forstner and Hagen said the event delivers upwards of $1 million worth of public exposure, with media focusing on the “city, economy, area conservation efforts, tourist attractions and more.”

Stiehm called awarding the $5,000 donation “a no-brainer.” The donation will only be made if Austin is selected as the site to host the event.

Organizations that have pledged their support for the event include the Austin Area Chamber, the Mower County Soil and Water Conservation District, Cedar River Watershed District, Pheasants Forever, Holiday Inn, the VFW and the DAV.

The council will officially vote on the donation during its next regular meeting on Monday, Aug. 6.

Explore Minnesota and the Governor’s office will announce the 2019 host at this year’s event on Oct. 12-13 in Luverne.