The Visit BG Ohio 2025 Tourism Grant Program aims to attract visitors and conventions/events to the City of Bowling Green, promoting a positive economic impact for the community. The grant, a reimbursement program ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 with a maximum award of $5,000, is funded by the City's share of sales taxes collected on overnight stays. It is designed to support eligible tourism activities and is not intended to cover the entire cost of a project. The overall mission aligns with enhancing the local economy by increasing travel to Bowling Green for recreation or leisure, thereby benefiting lodging, restaurants, shopping venues, and local attractions.
Target beneficiaries include publicly-owned or nonprofit-run attractions, lodging facilities, and other businesses that can demonstrate their primary activities promote travel and tourism to Bowling Green. The program seeks to support capital projects, events, and activities that generate publicity and substantially increase overnight stays or day visits. The impact goals are centered on economic growth through increased tourism, fostering a vibrant local economy by drawing more visitors to the city.
The program prioritizes three key areas: Capital Improvement, Sports, Conferences, Festivals and Large Events, and Arts & Culture. Capital Improvement projects must be located within Bowling Green City limits, establish new facilities, or improve existing infrastructure to attract more overnight guests. Sports, Conferences, Festivals and Large Events funding is designed to support, enhance, and grow events, as well as strengthen bids for new programs that draw visitors and increase usage of local amenities. Arts & Culture funding assists events that deliver enrichment and supports public art installations that provide an experience for visitors. All categories require applicants to demonstrate how their projects will draw visitors and increase usage of local businesses.
Expected outcomes include a significant increase in overnight visitors and day visits, leading to enhanced revenue for local businesses like hotels, restaurants, and retail. Measurable results will be determined by the economic impact on lodging, restaurants, shopping venues, and local attractions, with projects demonstrating the greatest potential for positive economic impact receiving primary consideration. The program functions as a matching grant, requiring organizations to provide the total project cost and proof of matching funds, along with detailing marketing strategies to ensure additional interest from event organizers and visitors, thus reinforcing the program's strategic priority of sustainable tourism growth and community benefit.
