NORWICH – A motion to provide public funding for a study of overnight accommodations in Chenango County passed the county Board of Supervisors on Monday, but not without deliberations from opposing officials.

A total of $9,000 will be allocated to the Development Chenango Corporation (DCC), the nonprofit arm of Commerce Chenango, to contract with Susan M. Payne, a community and economic development consultant located in nearby Endwell in Broome County.

“I have been very supportive of this,” said Norwich Town Supervisor Dave Law, chairman of the county’s committee on planning and economic development. He added that support for the project may lead to bigger projects on the horizon. “I think this is going to be a big help to us.”

The study will provide area officials, public and private, with a snapshot of the supply and demand of overnight accommodations including hotels, motels, inns and bed and breakfasts throughout the county. According to advocates, data may be used to bolster business travel and tourism to the county.

DCC argues the county may currently be losing tens of thousands of dollars each year to travelers who can’t find adequate accommodations and choose to stay in neighboring Broome, Otsego or Madison counties. Additionally, it says lack of accommodations is stifling growth of local events, including the summertime Chenango County Blues Fest and Gus Macker basketball tournament.