Beginning on January 19, 2016, eligible organizations are invited to apply to Harford County’s tourism-related grant program for funding in the fiscal year 2017. The county government grants support cultural, historical, museum, eco-tourism and sports-tourism activities that draw visitors from outside the county and generate economic benefits through admissions, dining, gas, and, potentially, overnight stays. Grant application workshops are planned for February 9 and March 10. The application deadline is April 15, 2016.
Last year, tourism-related grants were awarded to 24 nonprofits across Harford County totaling $1.4 million. One such recipient was the Bel Air Downtown Alliance.
“We were so excited about the opportunity to work collaboratively with local and county officials,” said Christine McPherson, executive director of the Bel Air Downtown Alliance. “Our market study funded through the grant is nearing completion and will help set strategy to further enhance the Town of Bel Air as a visitor destination and an economic engine for Harford County.”
All applicants for fiscal year 2017 funding are urged to attend one of the following two grant application workshops: Tuesday, February 9, at 1:30 p.m. in the County Council Chambers located at 212 S. Bond Street in Bel Air; and Thursday, March 10, at 6 p.m. at Harford County’s Economic Development Office, 2021 Pulaski Highway in Havre de Grace. Applicants should review the application form prior to their workshop. Grant awards are for operating programmatic funding only, for the fiscal year that begins on July 1, 2016 and ends on June 30, 2017.
The county’s annual tourism-related grant program is funded by revenue generated from the hotel lodging fee initiated by County Executive Barry Glassman and first implemented in March 2015. Eligibility is limited to 501(c) 3 and 501(c) 6 organizations whose programs or operations assist in the promotion of Harford County as a premier tourism destination. The program is administered by the Harford County Economic Development Advisory Board’s Tourism Activity Related Committee, which makes award recommendations to County Executive Glassman.
Applications can be found on line at www.harfordcountymd.gov/oed by clicking on “EDAB/Tourism Competitive Grant Application”; hard copies will also be available at branches of the Harford County Public Library.
If you have additional questions or would like to sign up for one of the workshops, please contact Eva Hanley at 410-638-3059 or at ehanley@harfordcountymd.gov.
