YORK, PA - More than 60 applicants have requested funding through the newly established York County Tourism Grant Program, which aims to boost visitation from beyond a 50-mile radius.

In total, applicants requested more than $10 million in funding for various projects. The York County Tourism Grant Committee will review qualified applications and announce the first annual grant awards June 1. 

"The bottled-up demand for a program like this is apparent in every application that we have received," said Eric Menzer, Chair of the Grant Committee and President of the York Revolution. "The committee will do its due diligence to select projects that will boost tourism to York County and have the greatest impact over time. We thank all the grant applicants for their proposals and their commitment to building upon our nearly $1 billion tourism industry."

The first round of grant applications covers requests of at least $2,500 with no maximum amount. Grants can be paid out over multiple years, giving the committee leeway to help fund larger projects.

Applications can still be submitted for a second round of smaller grant awards that cover individual requests of up to $10,000. Those applications are due August 1; the committee will announce recipients October 12.

The York County Convention & Visitors Bureau (YCCVB) expects about $740,000 will be available to grant applicants this year. Projects require a 25 percent match.

Funding for the program comes from York County's hotel room tax and was made possible thanks to the support of York County Commissioners, state lawmakers and Governor Tom Wolf.

The York County Convention & Visitors Bureau's Mission is to maximize tourism expenditures and their economic impact in York County, PA, through comprehensive tourism sales and marketing programs. The York County CVB's Vision is for a York County where tourism is recognized for the value of its economic impact and its role in raising the profile of York County as a sought-after destination. For more information on the York County Convention & Visitors Bureau, call 1-888-858-9675 or visit www.yorkpa.org.

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