Clinton County Tourism/Recreation Grant Program begins accepting 2021 applications
LOCK HAVEN, PA – The Clinton County Tourist Promotion Agency, in collaboration with the Clinton County Commissioners and County Planning Department, on Thursday announced that applications are now being accepted for the 2021 Clinton County Tourism/Recreation Grant Program.
The annual grant program is designed to support local nonprofit organizations and municipalities in the development and expansion of tourist and recreational assets and events that promote Clinton County and increase tourism. Grants are awarded as support for marketing, promotional and advertising expenses; new project or event development and expansion; and infrastructure improvements that benefit tourism and enhance visitors’ experience.
The 2021 program has earmarked $50,000 for grants. New this year, applicants will use an online application developed by the County Planning Department that is similar in format to the online application used by the county receive CARES Act funding requests from businesses, nonprofits and municipalities. The online application, as well as guidelines for the Tourism/Recreation Grant Program, is available through the Clinton County Government website at: https://www.clintoncountypa.com/departments/funding-opportunities.
“We look forward to again working with local groups to offer financial support for tourism and recreation initiatives,” said Julie Brennan, director of the Tourist Promotion Agency, an arm of the Clinton County Economic Partnership. “In the past five years alone, this grant program has pumped nearly $230,000 in grants to worthy projects and events that help grow our local tourism and recreation assets.”
Brennan said the 2020 grant program was deeply affected by the pandemic, with half of the 16 grant recipients unable to carry out their planned project or event due to COVID-19 mitigation restrictions. Should those groups choose to re-apply, Brennan said their proposal will be given priority.
“The 2021 grant program represents a way we can be part of the re-start of important tourist and recreation-related programs, helping organizations successfully come back from the negative effects of the pandemic,” said Brennan.
Applications for the 2021 Tourism/Recreation Grant Program will be accepted through March 1. A grants committee reviews all applications, with awards expected to be announced in mid-March.
Funding for the program comes from the county’s hotel tax paid by those who stay overnight in local lodging establishments. The tax is passed through to the Tourist Promotion Agency to support tourist promotion.
Organizations and municipalities with questions about the grant program can contact Brennan at 570-748-5782 or tourismdirector@clintoncountyinfo.com, or Gabe Caprio in the Clinton County Planning Office at 570-893-4080, ext. 3 or gcaprio@clintoncountypa.com.
