ZELIENOPLE — The Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau Thursday unanimously approved a $20,000 loan to the county chamber of commerce to pay for a consultant on a newly created countywide planning initiative.

County commissioners in February created the advisory group to oversee the strategic planning process, which will focus on economic, social, demographic, infrastructure and quality of life issues, including tourism.

Stan Kosciuszko, chamber president, said grant commitments from state legislators have been made, but the money will not be available for 12 to 18 months.

Task force team members are scheduled to present a preliminary report to the county commissioners by Oct. 1, with a final report due by Dec. 21.

"We're fairly certain the grants will be approved," Kosciuszko said, calling the tourism bureau's advance a "bridge loan" until grant money arrives.

Compensating the consultant is the only expense the task force is expected to incur.

Wayne Conley, tourism bureau chairman, said the initiative will be important to the bureau because tourism is the county's leading industry.

"It is in our advantage to be part of this," he said.

Bureau members voted to stipulate the loan be repaid by June 1, 2009, or as grant money becomes available.

The bureau will not charge interest.

The loan is included in this year's tourism budget. The bureau's fiscal year began July 1.

Some bureau members were skeptical of being repaid at all as the state grants have not yet been approved.

Jack Cohen, bureau executive director, said there is an 85 percent chance of being paid in full.

"Nothing is for sure, but they are committed to repaying," he said of the chamber.

The task force is scheduled to meet July 30.