NORWICH – Commerce Chenango Tourism is pleased to announce the creation of a new grant opportunity, available to Chenango County tourism related businesses, and event and festival organizers. This grant program has been made possible by using the funding from the Chenango County local Occupancy Tax, which was signed into law in 2020 by the Chenango County Board of Supervisors.

Commerce Chenango is appointed each year as the Tourism Promotion Agent (TPA) for Chenango County, and per the law is the designated recipient of the balance of the occupancy tax collected for the prior fiscal year. A portion of the funds collected is utilized by the county to cover administrative costs.  Commerce Chenango Tourism has created a robust and innovative marketing and promotion plan for 2022, which includes the launch of this grant opportunity.

The purpose of the Chenango County Tourism Grant Program is to create a dedicated funding stream, available to our tourism properties, businesses, and organizations, to promote and develop the tourism industry within Chenango County, thereby stimulating economic growth.

“We are currently accepting applications for the Tourism Promotion Grant Program. The grant is an effort to help some of the smaller tourism properties get help with marketing,” said Audrey Robinson, Director of Tourism for Chenango County. “The application and guidelines are easy to follow and may provide a few dollars to help market tourism businesses and services.”

Eligible applicants need to be a Chenango County tourism-based business. Possible expenses include but are not limited to; advertising through media channels such as magazines, newspapers, special event brochures, website banners, radio, and television. All eligible expenses must meet the criteria and be approved by the Tourism Grant Committee and the Tourism Director.

Projects that support public events, programs, or a series of events that seek to build upon historical, musical, culinary, agricultural, recreational and/or cultural traditions of the area and hold the reasonable potential to attract non-county visitors will be given priority. However, all tourism property proposals will be given consideration.

“The Chenango County Occupancy Tax program was a great way to add additional funds into the overall tourism marketing and promotion program for Chenango County, and I applaud the Board of Supervisors for taking this step” noted Commerce Chenango President & CEO, Kerri Green. “Due to their foresight, this inaugural year will allow us to expand our footprint and promote Chenango County through various channels and in new ways we have never been able to before. This addition of this local grant fund is just another way we can better support our tourism properties, events, and festivals throughout the county.”

To see the grant guidelines or to apply, call 607.334.1429 or email a request to  tourism@chenangony.org.

Grants up to $1,000 may be awarded (subject to change). The

application deadline is 4/4/2022. Grant awards are made on the recommendation of the Tourism Grant Committee.

Commerce Chenango Tourism is the official state Tourism Promotion Agency (TPA). As the TPA we administer the state matching funds program and promote the county’s events, festivals, tourism properties, natural resources, heritage areas and recreational opportunities as a vital component to Chenango’s quality of life. Visit http://www.chenangotourism.com  for more information on Commerce Chenango Tourism services and programs.

– From Commerce Chenango