Hamilton County grant fund workshops

Workshops will be held Thursday, August 21, to announce the details for Hamilton County’s community and tourism development program, Destination: Hamilton County. The Bureau will inform Hamilton County non-profits of the guidelines and deadlines for the 2009 program.

The Tourism Development Grant Program is a competitive program that supports downtown revitalization initiatives; cultural, historical or scenic site development; product and attraction development and enhancements; and tourism or business development incentive programs for downtowns.

In the third year, Destination: Hamilton County is designed to seed projects that will enhance community assets to increase tourism visitation to the county. Projects are sought which are viable, sustainable and quality initiatives and will improve the visitors’ experience in Hamilton County.

The workshops are designed to help clarify the extensive grant process and share success stories from previous Destination: Hamilton County projects.

There are two opportunities for interested organizations to attend the free sessions. Session will be held:

Thursday, August 21, 2008
from 10-11:30 a.m.
Fishers Train Station Community Room, 11601 Municipal Drive, Fishers
Or
2-3:30 p.m.
at the Bureau office, 37 E. Main Street, Carmel

To RSVP for the workshops, call 317-848-3181 x 100 or email sslavens@hamiltoncountytowns.com.

Any non-profit, Hamilton County-based organization is eligible to apply for the grant. The annual project fund for 2009 will have nearly $400,000 and will provide matching grants up to a maximum of $50,000 (a 10% match is required) for those projects that meet the criteria and are chosen by a review committee.

Interested applicants must first submit a letter of intent by October 13. Those proceeding to the application stage must submit proposals by December 8, 2008.

Funds for the Destination: Hamilton County grant program come from a portion of the innkeepers tax revenue. Several grant opportunities are offered via the Destination: Hamilton County program, of which the Tourism Development Grant is one.

The Hamilton County Convention and Visitors Bureau promotes tourism growth through strategic marketing, hospitality and community development initiatives. .