Virginia has given more than $543,000 in matching grant funds to 37 local tourism initiatives, Gov. Bob McDonnell announced Monday.
The Virginia Tourism Corporation’s Marketing Leverage Grant program helps local and regional tourism entities attract more visitors by leveraging local marketing dollars. The local organizations match the state grant funds by a minimum of 3:1 to create marketing projects such as websites, signage, social media and advertisements.
“Grants such as these enable our localities to more effectively market themselves to potential visitors,” McDonnell said in a statement. “When more visitors come to Virginia the Commonwealth and the localities realize increased tax revenue, businesses prosper and new jobs are created.”
To be eligible for the program, a minimum of three entities must partner financially. In total, VTC awards approximately $1 million annually - matched and leveraged on average three to one by partner dollars - to more than 80 communities across the Commonwealth.
The next round of grants will open spring 2013. Localities interested in applying may visit http://www.vatc.org for more information.
The following grants were awarded:
Harrisonburg Tourism & Visitor Services
“It’s Better in the Burg”
$25,000
Barter Theatre
Celebrating Abingdon’s Artistic History and Heritage
$25,000
Waynesboro Tourism
Mountains, Valley, Downtown Alleys- The Roads & Towns Less Traveled
$5,000
Bath County
Virginia’s Western Highlands Visitor Guide
$2,500
Appalachian Sustainable Development
Rooted in Appalachia Phase II Marketing Plan
$12,500
Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce & Tourism
Nobody Loves Outdoor Adventure Like The Alleghany Highlands
$5,000
Tourism Association of Greater Waynesboro
Waynesboro 4 Season Marketing Photography & Video Footage
$5,000
VisitNorfolk
TAP Dance 2013
$3,500
Virginia Highlands Festival
Jewel of the Blue Ridge
$10,200
William King Museum
Exhibitions Campaign
$8,305.08
Wythe County
Wythe County Recreational Trails
$1,842.50
Luray and Page County Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center
Luray and Page County: LOVE every Level, Advancing the Brand
$25,000.00
Abingdon Convention and Visitors Bureau
Abingdon Music Experience
$14,500.00
Waterford Foundation Inc.
Waterford Homes Tour & Crafts Exhibits
$5,136.50
The Crooked Road
The Crooked Road On the Air
$5,000.00
Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission
Fields of Gold Agritourism Program
$7,974
Radford Visitor’s Center
Find it in Radford 2013
$2,500
Coastal Virginia Tourism Alliance
Love to Travel to Coastal Virginia
$10,000
Blue Ridge Travel Association of Virginia
Blue Ridge Mobility
$15,043
Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival
86th Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival ‘LOVE to BLOOM!
$49,700.00
Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce
The Fall at Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia
$9,151.75
Wytheville Convention & Visitors Bureau
Visit Historic Wytheville: Museums, Mansions & More!
$50,000
Friends of Southwest Virginia
Icons of Southwest Virginia
$49,300
Prince Edward County
The Best Part of the Civil War…The End!
$14,500
Mecklenburg County
Virginia’s Retreat
$25,000
Smyth County Tourism Association
Discover Blue Ridge Highlands Recreational Trails!
$45,000
Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership
Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Scenic Byway Marketing Program
$25,000
Northern Neck Tourism Commission
Chesapeake Heritage Advertising Program
$10,000
Virginia Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau
Cercle des Vacances French Co-op Partnership
$24,000
Goochland County Chamber of Commerce
Visit Goochland
$5,250
Cape Charles Bed & Breakfast Association
Cape Charles Website and Marketing Initiative
$10,000
South Boston-Halifax County Department of Tourism
Halifax County: Your Meeting Destination
$10,000
Lexington & The Rockbridge Area Tourism
Lexington Rockbridge Studio Tour 2013
$8,250
Visit Loudoun
Visit Loudoun Photography and Videography Program
$11,839
City of Waynesboro - Parks & Recreation Department
XtremeFest of the Blue Ridge
$758.50
Virginia Mountain Vineyards
Uncork the Cure
$5,000
Roanoke River Rails to Trails Inc.
Tobacco Heritage Trail
$1,549
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