NORWICH –  Commerce Chenango Tourism is pleased to announce the recipients of the newly created Tourism Grant Program. This grant program was made possible by using the funding from the Chenango County local occupancy tax. 

The purpose of the 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.

Chenango County tourism related businesses and event and festival organizers were invited to apply for funding up to $1,000 per program or event. The call for proposals was requested in March of 2022 using print media, radio, social media, and the Commerce Weekly Newsbites.

In late April a committee made up of representatives from the Chenango County Planning & Economic Development Committee, the Development and Commerce Chenango Boards, the Commerce President & CEO, and the Tourism Director for Chenango County reviewed and evaluated all the applications received and the determination of the amount of funding to each was awarded on a point system.

Commerce Chenango Tourism Director, Audrey Robinson said, “This is a great opportunity to provide some of our tourism organizations with a little extra funding to support their events and activities and present additional opportunities for the area. This also provides a way to assist in their individual efforts to offer something new, or perhaps something that was a bit out of reach without the grant dollars.” 

Recipients included 6 On The Square, Chenango County Historical Society Museum, Chenango River Theatre, Compass Consulting and Contracting Services LLS DBA Expedition Chenango, Earlville Opera House, Friends of Rogers Environmental Education Center, Hidden Springs Brewhouse, Jericho Arts Council, and the Norwich Family YMCA Gus Macker for a total award of $7,945. Projects approved for the funding supported public events, programs, or a series of events that seek to build upon historical, musical, recreational and/or cultural traditions of the area.

Commerce Chenango Tourism is the official state Tourism Promotion Agency (TPA) as designated by the County Board of Supervisors and New York State Department of Economic Development. Visit  www.chenangotourism.comfor more information on Commerce Chenango Tourism services and programs.   

– information from Commerce Chenango