Tourism Development Grant

The Tourism Development Grant is a community-focused funding initiative managed by the Zanesville Muskingum County Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB), which operates under contract with the Muskingum County Commissioners. The primary goal of this grant is to boost tourism within Muskingum County by supporting efforts that increase visitor traffic, enhance the overall visitor experience, and potentially lead to longer stays or return visits. The program is funded through a portion of the county’s lodging tax, and it supports a wide range of eligible applicants including nonprofit organizations, for-profit entities, and municipal agencies. Designed as a strategic investment in local tourism growth, the Tourism Development Grant helps fund marketing, promotion, and event-based initiatives that attract tourists to the region. The program places special emphasis on projects likely to have a measurable economic impact through increased tourism. Examples of eligible activities include promotional campaigns, special events, and tourism-driven programming. The overarching intention is to create tourism opportunities that generate overnight stays and reinforce the local hospitality economy. The grant program is structured around two application rounds per calendar year, allowing applicants to submit proposals in either cycle regardless of their funding history. Round One begins accepting applications on October 1, 2025, and closes on November 30, 2025, at 11:59 PM. Grant recipients will be notified by January 31, 2026. Round Two opens on April 1, 2026, with a deadline of May 31, 2026, and award announcements are expected by July 31, 2026. Funding from Round One that is not awarded will carry over to Round Two, offering additional opportunities for applicants. The program has a total annual budget of $15,000. In Round One, $7,500 is available for disbursement, with the remainder allocated to Round Two. The maximum individual grant award is $1,500. There is no indication of a required cost share or matching funds, and the opportunity is open to a wide range of organizational types. A post-event report is mandatory for all recipients, and completion of this report is a prerequisite for eligibility in the 2027 grant cycle. Applications are evaluated by a committee appointed by the CVB. The review process may include follow-up with applicants to gather additional information. While specific evaluation criteria are not published, projects are expected to align with the program’s core tourism enhancement objectives. The process does not reference any pre-application steps such as Letters of Intent or concept papers. All questions regarding the grant may be directed to Kaitlynne Peters ([email protected]) or Starr Jinkens ([email protected]) by phone at 740-455-8282. The CVB office is located at 205 N. 5th St., Zanesville, Ohio 43701. While no PDF guidelines or downloadable documents are provided through the source, the program details are clearly outlined on the CVB website.

Focus on tourism draw from >50-mile radius; demonstrate economic impact; include strong visuals and media opportunities; provide detailed and compliant budget.