BROOKVILLE, Pa. – Applications for 2017 Tourism Marketing and Development Grants are being accepted by the Jefferson County Room Tax Committee. A portion of the Jefferson County Hotel Tax is appropriated for these grant programs, specifically established to support the County’s tourism assets.
The grant programs are intended to enhance the tourism experience and increase tourism visitation and overnight stays in Jefferson County. Grants are awarded based on merit as determined by Tax Committee and the Jefferson County Commissioners. Grants are administered by the Pennsylvania Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau.
Tourism Marketing Grants:
Eligibility – Eligible nonprofit organizations can be 501c3, 501c6 or 501c4 corporations organized to promote tourism, foster economic development or hold a festival or event.
Grants of up to $2,000 may be awarded for the marketing of any tourism-oriented initiative sponsored by a nonprofit organization or event located in Jefferson County that submits a completed application. Applications must show how tourism visitation and overnight stays will be increased through the funding. As required by state law, all grants must have a cash and/or in-kind local match of at least 25 percent. Applications must include a detailed list and/or explanation of the 25 percent match amount. For-profit businesses are not eligible.
Marketing and advertising programs must be targeted to traditional and social media that reach a marketing area outside a 75-mile radius from the event. Examples of tourism marketing promotion and advertising include billboards, television, radio, newspaper and magazine advertisements, paid social media advertising and event website development and enhancement. Event brochures are eligible if it can be demonstrated that they are used to attract non-county residents. The development or enhancement of a website is also an eligible use.
The Tourism Development Grant program is designed to stimulate and encourage the development and/or expansion of tourist attractions in Jefferson County. The program is funded by the Jefferson County hotel tax, which is collected on room rentals throughout the county. The purpose of the tax is to “put heads in beds;” in other words, to attract overnight visitors to the county, bringing outside dollars into the local economy.
Tourism Development Grants:
The maximum amount awarded to any applicant is $5,000. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to match the total amount of funds awarded. The grant money is distributed on a reimbursement basis; grantees must provide paid invoices for eligible expenditures relating to the project before the grant money will be released. An organization is only eligible to receive one Development Grant per year.
Eligible Use of Funds – Eligible program activities include construction, entertainment or event bookings, design or engineering work, and advertising beyond a 75-mile radius of the event. Land purchases and infrastructure development are not eligible.
The grants are available on a continual basis throughout the year. Applications are available by visiting www.VisitPAGO.com/counties/Jefferson/Room-Tax. Applications are reviewed at meetings of the Hotel Tax Committee.
The mission of the Pennsylvania Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau is to develop and initiate programs and marketing strategies designed to increase overnight travel-related expenditures within its designated region and to create a cooperative effort to increase awareness of the region as an ultimate vacation destination.
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