Williams County Tourism Grant Program

The Williams County Tourism Grant Program is an initiative designed to stimulate and support tourism development in Williams County, North Dakota, excluding the City of Williston. Administered by Williams County, the program offers funding to eligible organizations aiming to expand tourism experiences, attract visitors, or enhance overnight stays in the county. With a total funding pool of $100,000 for the 2026 grant cycle, the program supports capital projects, events, and advertising initiatives directly tied to tourism within the county. Grant applications are evaluated based on their potential to contribute to tourism and must relate to projects or events situated outside the city limits of Williston but within the broader Williams County area. Preference is given to proposals that can clearly demonstrate an increase in tourism traffic or overnight stays. The application period for the 2026 program opens at 9 a.m. Central Time on February 19, 2026, and closes at 5 p.m. Central Time on April 3, 2026. Following the close date, applications undergo a review period from April 6 to April 16, with award announcements scheduled for April 21, 2026. Eligible applicants include private nonprofit and for-profit entities, as well as political subdivisions of North Dakota and other public or governmental bodies. Organizations must be registered and compliant with state laws, zoning regulations, and tax obligations. Entities that do not fall into the core eligibility categories may apply using a fiscal agent. Past recipients may reapply but will be given lower priority than new applicants. Additionally, all applicants must be capable of entering a written agreement with the county to receive reimbursement. The grant program supports two funding tracks: capital projects and events/advertising initiatives. Capital projects can receive up to $20,000 and may involve the improvement, installation, or purchase of tourism-related infrastructure, equipment, or signage. Events and advertising initiatives may receive up to $5,000 to fund promotional campaigns or the execution of tourism-oriented events. All funded expenses must be tourism-related and must not be tied to activities within the city limits of Williston. Ineligible expenses include non-tourism costs, expenses incurred prior to approval, labor from unlicensed contractors, and grant administration costs. Successful applicants will be reimbursed for 80% of approved expenses, with the remaining 20% covered by the grantee. Reimbursement requires documentation such as receipts and a completed IRS Form W-9. Expenses may occur over a multi-year period if previously approved. All reimbursement claims for 2026-related expenses must be submitted by December 1, 2026, unless an extension is granted. Grantees are required to submit post-implementation impact statements to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) to assess the effect of the funded projects or events on local tourism. The program is overseen by the BOCC and the Tourism Grant Application Review Committee, which includes community representatives and officials. Administrative review is conducted by the Williams County Community Engagement Coordinator to verify eligibility and completeness of applications. Final funding decisions rest with the BOCC based on recommendations from the committee. For more information or alternative application formats, applicants can contact Lindsey Harriman at [email protected] or call (701) 577-4547.