The Henderson County Destination Enhancement Grant program supports the development of tourism-related capital investment in Henderson County to promote visitation to the county and enhance the destination.
Donor Name: Henderson County Tourism Development Authority
State: North Carolina
County: Henderson County (NC)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 01/22/2023
Size of the Grant: $8,000
Details:
The Henderson County Tourism Development Authority (HCTDA) is empowered to make grants to its tourism partners under the authority granted by its enabling legislation, Session Law 2013-61, House Bill 545, Section 1, (e) Use of Tax Revenue: “The county shall, on a quarterly basis, remit the net proceeds of the room occupancy and tourism development tax levied under this act to the Henderson County Tourism Development Authority. The Authority shall use at least two thirds of the net proceeds of the room occupancy tax levied under this act to promote travel and tourism in Henderson County and shall use the remainder for tourism related expenditures.”
HCTDA and a grants committee comprised of representatives from the Henderson County tourism sector and appointed by the HCTDA Board will determine the eligibility of applicants and make recommendations to the HCTDA Board for funding. The HCTDA Board makes all final decisions regarding the awarding of any grants. This program is funded entirely by occupancy taxes paid by overnight visitors staying in lodging in Henderson County.
Funding Information
The Destination Enhancement Grant application must be for a minimum of $8,000, with at least 50%of every dollar requested to be matched by the applicant.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for a HCTDA Destination Enhancement Grant, the applicant must:
- Represent a project located in Henderson County, NC
- Represent a project that will enhance Henderson County as a destination
- Have been in operation as an organization for at least one (1) year
- Be organized under the laws of North Carolina or, if organized under the laws of another state, registered to do business in North Carolina
- Be registered as a federally-recognized non-profit, if applicable
- Not be a property primarily used for lodging
- Applicant must be able to provide a match equal to at least 50% of the grant amount being requested from the program
- Utilize the funding received from the program for capital assets only.
Limitations
- Limitations imposed by HCTDA upon the Destination Enhancement Grant program include but are not limited to the following:
- Destination Enhancement Grant funding can only be used for:
- New construction that will enhance Henderson County as a destination for at least 10 years
- The expansion, renovation, rehabilitation, replacement, or acquisition of an existing structure that will enhance Henderson County as a destination for at least 10 years
- The acquisition of equipment or other similar capital assets that will enhance Henderson County, with an anticipated life of at least 10 years
- If a project is partial located in/will be used partial in
- Henderson County only the Henderson County portion/share of the project is eligible for funding Destination Enhancement Grant funding cannot be used for projects located on property that is primarily used only for lodging. HCTDA cannot commit to funding projects in future years.
- HCTDA may prioritize future funding for a specific project in future years but cannot commit to funding beyond the current fiscal year of the application cycle. Organizations may reapply for funding in future years for multi-phase projects.
- HCTDA will not consider more than one application for Destination Enhancement Grant funding from any organization in a given fiscal year.
- HCTDA reserves the right to cancel the Destination Enhancement Grant program at any time and for any reason. HCTDA is not obligated to fund any request, nor is it obligated to expend the entire amount budgeted for the Destination Enhancement Grant program in a given fiscal year. Recognizing that its resources are limited, HCTDA may, in its sole discretion, grant funding that is less than that requested by the applicant.
- HCTDA will not make payment directly to any vendor or individual. Payment will only be made to the applicant organization. HCTDA may, in its sole discretion, decide to disburse Destination Enhancement Grant funds only after the achievement of certain milestones by the grantee, and funds may be paid out in pre determined phases after consultation with the applicant. Specific terms of payment will be included in the project funding agreement.
- Changes in the project schedule and/or modification of the project’s design or scope will require the grantee to seek review and approval of the HCTDA Board before any additional disbursement of funds will occur.
- If the grantee is unable to fund and/or complete the project, HCTDA may revoke all or part of the grant. The grantee may be forced to return some or all funding plus interest if the grantee is found to have used the funding inappropriately, if the project was not completed, in accordance with the schedule provided, if the project scope or design was changed without approval of HCTDA, or if the grantee otherwise violates the funding agreement.
- Applications received after the published deadline will not be considered.
- The applicant assumes the burden of all expenses associated with this application.
- Destination Enhancement Grant funding can only be used for:
For more information, visit HCTDA.
