Delaware County Tourism Funds Grant Programs

The Delaware County Tourism Advisory Board is now accepting applications for funding under the Tourism Promotion & Development Grant program.  This program will provide funding assistance to eligible applicants for projects that seek to attract visitors to Delaware County and enhance the overall tourism industry.  Applications for grant assistance under this program must be hand-delivered to the Delaware County Department of Economic Development or postmarked by 5:00 pm on Tuesday, February 26, 2019.

The grant guidelines can be found here. Delaware County Tourism Promotion & Development Grant Guidelines – 2019

Find the application here. 2019 TPD Grant Application

Find the budget template here. 2019 TPD Budget Form

The Tourism Promotion & Development Grant program is funded through revenues raised through the Delaware County Hotel Occupancy Tax.  The Occupancy Tax was enacted for the purposes of creating a dedicated funding stream to promote and develop the tourism industry within Delaware County and stimulating economic growth.  Since 2017, funds raised through the occupancy tax have been utilized to support 79 projects that promote and increase tourism in Delaware County.

Projects that have received support through this initiate include: improving access to snowmobile and hiking trails, renovations to historic properties, local and regional marketing activities, the development of promotional materials and support for artistic, cultural and community events that seek to attract visitors to Delaware County and enhance the overall tourism industry.

In 2019, the Tourism Promotion & Development Grant Program will focus on four categories of awards; Promotion/Marketing, Community Celebrations, Capital Improvements, and Arts & Culture.

Promotion/Marketing: Projects should be designed to promote specific locales, activities or tourism segments in Delaware County and target a defined market of non-county visitor.  In general, funds requested under this category should be used to cover costs related to printed materials, web site and social media marketing, and other promotional or marketing initiatives.  The maximum amount of funding available under this category is $5,000.

Community Celebrations:  Projects that support 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.  Events must be open to the general public.  Community Celebrations limited to serving the local community without a strategy for growth or not seeking to attract non-county visitors will not be funded.  The maximum amount of funding available under this category is $1,000.

Capital Improvements: Projects eligible for funding under this category include; the renovation/construction of tourism properties owned by a municipality or non-profit, infrastructure improvements with a direct relationship to tourism, and other physical/structural items with a greater than 5 year lifespan.  The maximum amount of funding available under this category is $5,000.

Arts & Culture:  Projects that support artistic events, programs, or a series of events that seek to promote public engagement and access to the arts and hold the reasonable potential to attract non-county visitors.  Events must be open to the general public.  Artistic events/programs limited to serving the local community without a strategy for growth, or not seeking to attract non-county visitors will not be funded.  The maximum amount of funding available under this category is $1,000.

Municipalities, nonprofit corporations and certain not-for-profit entities are eligible for funding.  However, applicants may apply under the fiscal sponsorship of a municipality or non-profit organization with the formal approval of such entity.  All grants will be awarded on a competitive basis and will require a minimum 1:1 cash match.

For a copy of the program guidelines and application, please contact the Delaware County Department of Economic Development at 607-832-5123, email us at ecodev@co.delaware.ny.us or stop by the office located at One Courthouse Square in the Village of Delhi.  The program guidelines and application are also available at on the Department website at www.dcecodev.com.  For questions relating to this funding opportunity, or for assistance in completing the application, please contact the Delaware County Department of Economic Development at 607-832-5123.