The Delaware County Tourism Promotion and Development Grant Program is funded through the Delaware County Occupancy Tax, which was established by the Delaware County Board of Supervisors. The primary goal of this tax is to create a sustainable funding source to support the growth of the tourism industry within Delaware County and promote economic development. Funds collected through this tax are allocated to support initiatives that increase tourism, enhance visitor experiences, and invest in capital improvements related to the tourism industry. This funding is designed to help projects that promote the county as a destination, stimulate local business growth, and generate revenue through increased visitor activity.
This grant program is available to support initiatives proposed by the Tourism Promotion Agency of Delaware County, which align with their mission to grow the economy by increasing visitor frequency, spending, and engagement. Funding assistance will only be granted for specific program activities that are distinct from an organization’s operational budget. The grant awards are issued at the discretion of the Delaware County Board of Supervisors, based on recommendations from the Tourism Advisory Board. Only proposals that receive approvals from both entities will be funded.
The 2025 grant cycle is currently open, with applications due by February 28, 2025, at 5:00 PM EST. There are two primary grant opportunities: the Tourism Promotion Grant for Non-Profits and the Tourism Business Development Grant. Under the Tourism Promotion Grant for Non-Profits, funding is available for several categories, including Arts & Culture ($1,200 max), Community Celebrations ($1,200 max), Promotions & Marketing ($5,000 max), Capital Improvements ($5,000 max), and Major Capital Improvements ($25,000 max). The Major Capital Improvements category is reserved for one or two large-scale projects and requires additional documentation.
The Tourism Business Development Grants are available for businesses in the tourism industry. Funding categories include Code Compliance Assistance ($1,000 max), Business Cooperative Promotions & Marketing ($2,500 max), and Lodging Business Capital Improvement ($10,000 max). The Delaware County Economic Development Office will also work with businesses and nonprofits to help identify other available grant opportunities.
Interested applicants can access grant guidelines and application forms through the Delaware County Economic Development website. Additional resources, including the 2025 Business Development Guidelines for for-profits, 2025 Business Development Application for for-profits, 2025 Tourism Promotion Guidelines for non-profits, 2025 Tourism Promotion Application for non-profits, and the 2025 TPA Budget Form, are also available.
For more information, applicants can contact the Delaware County Economic Development Office at One Courthouse Square, Suite 4, Delhi, NY 13753, via email at info@dcecodev.com, or by phone at (607) 832-5123.
