The GO Laurel Highlands (GO LH) is accepting applications for its Westmoreland County Tourism Grant Program to increase visitation to Westmoreland County and the Laurel Highlands resulting in positive economic impact and supporting jobs in the tourism sector.
Donor Name: GO Laurel Highlands (GO LH)
State: Pennsylvania
County: Westmoreland County (PA)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 10/04/2024
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
The WCTGP provides grants for tourism marketing, promotion, product development, enhancement of attractions, special events, exhibits and festivals that drive overnight stays to Westmoreland County and the Laurel Highlands. The purpose is to strengthen the vitality of the tourism and hospitality community, resulting in increased economic activity.
Types of Grants
- Marketing Grants
- Marketing and advertising programs must be targeted to media that primarily reach visitors who live outside Westmoreland County (50-mile radius beyond the county). Campaigns should be designed to increase visitation to an attraction, lodging property, or event/festival. Collaborative partnerships in the three-county region are eligible and encouraged. Multi-day established annual events are encouraged to apply. New or one-day events may be less likely to be funded.
- The goal of marketing grants should be to increase/extend/or enhance overnight stays.
- The Grant Program will not fund advertisements in local event programs (i.e. high school sports programs, local dance troupe programs, etc.)
- Eligible expenses include but are not limited to:
- Website development or enhancement.
- Creative services (design, photography, videography, media production, logo development)
- Printing of brochures and other collateral.
- Brochure distribution.
- Advertising (TV, radio, newspapers, magazines, billboards, search engine marketing, digital ad campaigns, and social media. The reach of advertising buys should primarily be outside of the county.
- Off-site directional signage (not on your property).
- Exhibiting fees to participate in industry travel shows/trade shows.
- Trade show displays.
- Tourism Enhancement/Capital Project Grants
- Capital improvements to Westmoreland County tourist attractions or amenities that benefit tourism and augment the visitor’s experience in Westmoreland County will be considered. This can include costs for an architect, construction costs, contractor, and materials.
- Visitor Center Grants
- Operation of a visitor center in a Great Allegheny Passage Conservancy recognized “Great Allegheny Passage Trail Town” in Westmoreland County.
- Expenses related to staffing the center may include payroll, payroll taxes, and payroll fees and standard operational expenses such as rent, supplies, utilities, insurance, postage, etc., as directly related to the operation of the visitor center.
Funding Information
Based on the dollar amount, grants equal to or less than $25,000.00 will be issued in the full amount. Anything above $25,000.00 will be issued an initial check of $25,000.
Grant Period
Grant funds must be utilized between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025.
Guidelines
- All tourism grants are required to have a 25% match on grant amount requested per Pennsylvania Act 18.
- Applicants with open grants prior to 2023 are not eligible to apply for a 2025 Grant.
- Multi-day established annual events are encouraged to apply. New or one-day events may be less likely to be funded.
- For-profits must provide a list of owners, Articles of Incorporation/Articles of Organization, and current W9.
- Nonprofits must provide a list of officers (board members), a copy of your US Department of the Treasury IRS Tax-Exempt Status Determination Letter, and current W9.
- Applicants must provide the exact information requested in order to not be disqualified.
- Hard copies of the grant application will not be accepted. All applications must be submitted through this portal.
- All grant applications will receive a letter of approval or denial in November from the Grant Administrator.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible organizations are defined as nonprofit or for-profit businesses within the tourism and hospitality industry.
For more information, visit GO Laurel Highlands.
