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Westmoreland County Kicks Off New Tourism Grant Program;
Applications Now Available
Posted 01-23-2003
Westmoreland County tourism-related businesses and organizations may now apply for the
county's new Tourism Grant Program. Westmoreland County officials and the Laurel Highlands
Visitors Bureau -- the official tourism promotion agency for the county -- kicked off the
new program with a ceremony today at the County Courthouse.
The purpose of the annual grant program is
to enhance the tourism experience and increase tourism, visitation, and overnight stays
within Westmoreland County.
The deadline to apply for grants is April
15, and grant awards will be announced in June.
"Westmoreland County boasts a number
of historically significant sites and wonderful recreation areas for outdoor
enthusiasts," said Annie Urban, president of the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau.
"This grant program will enhance and promote these sites within the region, the
state, and the country. We look forward to receiving a lot of good proposals."
The grant program is funded by one-third of
the revenues generated by the Westmoreland County Hotel Rental Tax -- a three percent levy
on all overnight accommodations that became effective July 1, 2002. While hotel tax
revenues for the 2003 grant cycle are not yet final, the county estimates that
approximately $200,000 in grants will be awarded this year.
"The travel and tourism industry is
the second largest industry in the Commonwealth, and its economic impact on Westmoreland
County is extremely significant," said County Commissioner Tom Balya. "Visitors
spend more than $360 million in Westmoreland County annually, which generates
approximately 8,000 jobs and earnings of about $125 million. The Tourism Grant Program
should help those numbers climb even higher."
A five-member Grant Program Review
Committee, which established the appropriate criteria for the program, will review
applications to determine grant awards. The committee is made up of County Commissioner
Tom Balya; Annie Urban, president of the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau; Ann Nemanic,
Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau board member and director of sales and marketing for
Mountain View Inn; Vince Fontana, president of Vince Building Company; and William
Rusiewicz, funeral director.
Grant applications, as well program
criteria and guidelines, are available through the Westmoreland County home page at www.co.westmoreland.pa.us or
by contacting the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau at 724-238-5661 (extension 10).
For more information on the Westmoreland
County Tourism Grant Program, contact Annie Urban at 724-238-5661 (extension 14). |
