2008 News
December 3, 2008
Bucks County Commissioners, Conference and Visitors Bureau Announce First Recipients of Non-Profit Tourism Grants
The Bucks County Commissioners, in cooperation with the Board of Directors of the Bucks County Conference and Visitors Bureau (BCCVB), today announced the first recipients of its Tourism Grant Program. A presentation was made to the awardees at a reception held following the bi-monthly commissioners meeting held at the BCCVB in Bensalem.
The Tourism Grant Program was instituted for the development and enhancement of the not-for-profit tourism product in Bucks County. The BCCVB supports the grant program from a portion of the proceeds earned with the Bucks County lodging tax.
The program looks to fund eligible participants in capital projects related to tourism promotion, marketing, historic preservation and enhancement of attractions and the staging of special events designed to attract visitors to the county. The grants will be awarded biannually in three categories: special events, capital projects and marketing. Applications for the second round of grants must be received by end of business April 1, 2009.
Commissioner Charles H. Martin expressed his enthusiasm for the program, “It is exciting to help facilitate the many projects geared to enhancing non-profit, tourism-related organizations which will only add to the economic development and artistic tradition of Bucks County.”
“We’re thrilled to enable quite a few of our members in their marketing and capital projects which in turn will benefit everyone by bringing more tourists into Bucks County” Jerry Lepping, executive director of Bucks County Conference & Visitors Bureau, “We expect this to continue for many years and will hopefully continue to grow to help our members prosper.”
Bruce Katsiff, executive director of the James A. Michener Art museum accepted one of the first grants. “This innovative new grant program recognizes the impact of arts and culture to the economic and spiritual health of our region. The Michener Art Museum applauds the county commissioners for their vision and courage in establishing this terrifically important program.”
For complete program guidelines and to apply, please visit the Conference and Visitors Bureau Web site, www.visitbuckscounty.com, and access “Grant Information” on the homepage.
Tourism Grant Awardees |
| Andalusia Foundation |
$15,000 Marketing Purposes |
| Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve |
$15,000 Marketing Purposes |
| Bristol Riverside Theater |
$10,000 Marketing Purposes |
| Bucks County Historical Society (Mercer Museum) |
$30,000 Capital Project |
| Bucks County Wine Trail |
$20,000 Marketing Purposes |
| Craven Hall Historical Society |
$5,000 Capital Project |
| Doylestown Historical Society |
$10,000 Capital Project |
| Historic Fallsington |
$5,000 Marketing Purposes |
| Landmark Towns |
$10,000 Marketing Purposes |
| Michener Art Museum |
$40,000 Capital Project |
| New Hope Celebrates |
$5,000 Marketing Purposes |
| New Hope Historical |
$2,500 Marketing Purposes |
| Pearl S. Buck House |
$15,000 Capital Project |
| River Road Business Alliance |
$10,000 Marketing Purposes |
| Tinicum Civic Association |
$2,500 Special Event |