STURGIS, S.D. – Sturgis city leaders have begun discussing new sources of funding for Sturgis Rally Charities.
For more than a decade, SRC provided significant funding for numerous local area non-profits.
However, a recent court ruling has led to the reduction in the amount of Officially Licensed Merchandise product that has been sold. It was that product that brought in thousands of dollars each year for local charities.
The court ruling overturned the trademarking of the word Sturgis as it pertains to the rally.
Sturgis City Manager Daniel Ainslie says they expect a loss of approximately $40-$50,000 dollars.
Ainslie says there are several options being discussed. They include turning over the city’s Main Street Photo Towers to local charities to raise money and having the Sturgis Police Department take donations for providing Motorcycle Group Escorts during the rally.
Other ideas include charging more for parking tickets handed out during the rally as well as raising vendor fees by a certain amount with that extra money going to Sturgis Rally Charities.
