Clinton County Tourism/Recreation Grants Announced
LOCK HAVEN, PA – The Clinton County Economic Partnership’s Tourist Promotion Agency, in collaboration with the Clinton County Commissioners and County Planning Department, on Thursday announced the award of $50,000 in grants through the Tourism and Recreation Grant program.
In all, 16 local nonprofit organizations and municipalities will receive grant funds to carry out events and initiatives designed to promote, develop and expand local tourist and recreational assets and attract visitors to Clinton County.
The grant awards were announced at Thursday’s Clinton County Commissioners meeting. Julie Brennan, tourism director with the Economic Partnership said the grants committee is excited to help jump-start the efforts of local groups as they work to resume a number of activities that, due to the pandemic, were unable to be held last year.
Many major events and the smaller fundraising efforts that support them were put on hold last year, so this year’s grant program is as critical as it’s ever been in helping these organizations get back on their feet,” said Brennan.
2021 Tourism/Recreation Grant recipients include:
– Chestnut Grove Recreation Authority – $1,000 for the planned Chestnut Grove sports complex;
– City of Lock Haven – $5,000 in support of the Free Outdoor Summer Concert Series;
– Clinton County Arts Council – $4,500, promotional support for the LH JAMS Festival;
– Clinton County Fair and Speedway – $6,000 in promotional support;
– Clinton County Historical Society – $3,500 for the Wine in the Wilds wine tasting festival;
– Downtown Lock Haven, Inc. – $2,000 in promotional support for activities such as the downtown pedestrian mall and Hometown Heroes Banner Program;
– Kettle Creek Music Festival – $3,000 in promotional support;
– Lock Haven Area Jaycees – $5,000 in promotional support for the annual Labor Day Regatta;
– Millbrook Playhouse – $5,000 in promotional support for the Bands for the Barn live music event;
– Mill Hall Borough – $2,900, support for the community pool;
– Piper Aviation Museum – $1,500 in advertising/promotional support;
– ReVibe Outdoors – $4,000 in support for the Little Loggers Trail Fest;
– Sentimental Journey to Cub Haven Fly-In – $2,000 in support of the Fly-In;
– Tiadaghton Elm Canoe Race Committee – $3,000 in support for the U.S. Canoe Association national race in Lock Haven this summer;
– Wayne Township – $1,000 in support of an informational kiosk for along the Bald Eagle Valley Trail, a project in collaboration with the Friends of the Bald Eagle Valley Trail;
– Western Clinton Sportsmen’s Association – $600 to support purchase of a promotional canopy.
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Brennan said the projects and activities associated with the 16 grant recipients represent an overall investment of more than $163,000 into the Clinton County community.
“We received a total of 25 grant applications this year, requesting more than $113,000, so there were some difficult decisions made,” said Brennan, noting that, unfortunately, grant requests always exceed available funds.
Funding for the grant 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.
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.
