FOREST COUNTY, Pa. — – Applications for 2017 Tourism Marketing and Development Grants are now being accepted by the Forest County Room Tax Committee.
A portion of the Forest County Hotel Tax is appropriated for a grant program specifically established to support the County’s tourism assets. The purpose of this grant program is to enhance the tourism experience, increase tourism visitation, and overnight stays within Forest County. Awards are granted on the basis of merit as determined by Northwest Pennsylvania Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau, the Tourism Grant Committee and the Forest County Board of Commissioners. Grants are administered by Northwest Pennsylvania Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau, Inc. The maximum grant award is $1,000 based on merit. Grant applications and guidelines can be found online at VisitPAGO.com/counties/forest/.
Tourism Marketing Grants:
Grants may be awarded for any non-profit tourism-oriented initiative sponsored by an organization or event located within Forest County that submits a request for such funds. Applications must show how tourism visitation and overnight stays will be increased through the funding. All grant applications must include at least 25% matching funds or in kind donations and meet the guidelines of “Tourism Marketing” as defined by State Law Act 18 passed in April 2016.
Advertising programs must be targeted to media outside a 75 mile radius of the event that will reach non-County residents. The Grant Program will not fund advertisements in local publications; local high school sports programs, local dance or theater programs, etc. Examples of tourism marketing promotion and advertising include but are not limited to: brochures, website development and enhancement, out-of-county billboards, television and radio commercials, Facebook paid ads, and/or print advertisements.
Tourism Development Grants: Tourism development programs and projects as deemed appropriate by the Committee. Examples include interpretive panels, public art projects, community festivals, etc.
Grants will not be awarded for standard or event operational expenses. All grant applications must include at least 25% matching funds or in kind donations and meet the guidelines of “Tourism Marketing” as defined by State Law Act 18 passed in April 2016.
The Forest County Tourism Grant Committee is comprised of members of the Forest County Hotel Tax Committee: Appointees are at the determination of the Forest County Commissioners.
The mission of the Pennsylvania Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau is to develop and initiate programs and marketing strategies with the specific intent of increasing overnight travel related expenditures within its designated region and to create a cooperative effort to increase awareness of this region as an ultimate vacation destination.
