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FAIRFIELD, IOWA -- Members of the Iowa Tourism Board held a special meeting at the Fairfield Arts and Convention Center Friday.

The budget for the tourism board has been cut dramatically, which is hurting attractions all across the Hawkeye state. Although, the hardest hit region is southeast Iowa, according to Rustin Lippincott with the Fairfield Arts and Convention Center.

The meeting leaders had on Friday is to reverse that trend, and according to Lippincott, that is exactly what is going to happen.

"With the budget cuts of our tourism budget, it is affecting all of us from the small museums to the convention and visitors bureau, to attractions all over the state, specifically southeast Iowa. Fairfield was chosen to hose the southeast Iowa portion of the meetings that they are doing across the state. So we are excited to welcome the tourism office manager and other representatives from the office to this facility," Lippincott said.

Lippincott pointed out that tourism dollars bring more funding to infrastructure projects and education. Therefore, focusing on bringing more tourism to the state would help the state financially in the future.