The Fayette County Tourism Grant Program, administered by GO Laurel Highlands for the Fayette County Board of Commissioners, is designed to bolster tourism and hospitality within Fayette County and the broader Laurel Highlands region. Its overarching mission is to strengthen the vitality of this community, thereby stimulating increased economic activity. This program directly aligns with its foundation's goal of driving overnight stays to the region through strategic investments in tourism marketing, promotion, product development, enhancement of attractions, and the support of special events, exhibits, and festivals. The program's commitment to annual awards, based on merit as determined by the Tourism Grant Review Committee (TGRC), ensures that funding is directed towards initiatives most likely to achieve these objectives.
The primary target beneficiaries of this grant program are nonprofit and for-profit businesses operating within the tourism and hospitality industry in Fayette County. The program's impact goals are centered on increasing visitation and extending or enhancing overnight stays within the county. By supporting a diverse range of projects, from marketing campaigns that reach visitors outside the 50-mile radius of Fayette County to capital improvements that augment the visitor's experience, the program aims to create a more vibrant and appealing tourism landscape.
The program prioritizes four distinct grant categories: Marketing Grants, Tourism Enhancement/Capital Project Grants, Operational Expense Grants, and Visitor Center Grants. Marketing Grants focus on external advertising to increase visitation, with a strong encouragement for multi-day established annual events and collaborative partnerships. Tourism Enhancement/Capital Project Grants support physical improvements to attractions. Operational Expense Grants offer limited funding for essential business functions (excluding payroll and travel), and Visitor Center Grants are specifically for the operation of centers in recognized "Great Allegheny Passage Trail Towns," covering staffing and operational costs.
Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in overnight stays, enhanced visitor experiences, and overall economic growth within Fayette County's tourism sector. The program measures success through the direct impact of funded projects on visitation and economic activity, emphasizing that marketing efforts should primarily target audiences outside the county. A critical measurable result is the requirement for all tourism grants to have a 25% match on the requested grant amount, aligning with Pennsylvania Act 18, which demonstrates a commitment from recipients and multiplies the program's impact. The grant period is strictly defined, with funds to be utilized between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025, ensuring timely implementation and accountability.
The foundation's strategic priorities are clearly articulated through the specific grant categories and eligibility criteria. By encouraging multi-day established annual events and collaborative partnerships, the program strategically aims for sustained and regional tourism growth. Its theory of change posits that by providing targeted financial support for marketing, infrastructure, operational stability, and visitor services, the program can directly influence and enhance the attractiveness and economic output of Fayette County as a tourism destination. The requirement for detailed documentation and an application portal reflects a commitment to transparency, fairness, and the efficient allocation of resources to projects with the highest potential for impact.
