Visit BG Ohio Tourism Grant Program

The Visit BG Ohio Tourism Grant is administered by Visit BG Ohio in partnership with the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce to support initiatives that promote tourism and economic development within the City of Bowling Green, Ohio. Funded through lodging tax revenues generated from overnight stays, the program seeks to enhance the city's attractiveness as a destination for recreation, leisure, and cultural experiences. By investing in projects that increase visitor traffic, the grant aims to stimulate local economic growth and strengthen the hospitality sector, including lodging, restaurants, retail establishments, and entertainment venues. The primary purpose of the Visit BG Ohio Tourism Grant is to provide financial assistance for projects, events, and initiatives that attract visitors and generate measurable economic impact. Eligible activities include capital improvements, sports tournaments, conferences, festivals, large-scale events, and arts and cultural programming. These initiatives are expected to increase overnight stays and day visits while elevating Bowling Green’s reputation as a regional tourism destination. The program prioritizes proposals that demonstrate a strong potential to draw visitors and enhance the overall visitor experience. Funding for the program is awarded on a reimbursement basis and is not intended to cover the full cost of a project. Applicants must demonstrate the availability of matching funds and provide evidence of their project's anticipated economic impact. Priority is given to projects that generate overnight tourism and contribute to sustained economic benefits for the community. Grant awards are capped at $5,000 per project, and organizations are limited to receiving one grant per award cycle. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, public agencies, and for-profit businesses that support tourism within Bowling Green, Ohio. Applicants must demonstrate how their proposed projects promote travel and tourism and contribute to local economic development. Projects must occur within the Bowling Green city limits and be completed during the 2027 calendar year. Funding categories include capital improvement projects, sports and tourism-related events, conferences, festivals, and arts and cultural initiatives that attract visitors to the area. The application process requires submission of a completed and signed application along with supporting documentation, including a detailed budget, marketing plans, and projections of tourism impact. Applicants must outline the scope, timeline, and anticipated outcomes of their projects, as well as provide information regarding matching funds. Applications may be submitted electronically or delivered to Visit BG Ohio. Successful applicants must execute a formal grant agreement prior to incurring reimbursable costs and comply with all branding and reporting requirements. Proposals are evaluated based on their potential to increase tourism, generate overnight stays, and produce measurable economic impact. Selected applicants must submit documentation of expenses and a final report detailing attendance, visitor demographics, and project outcomes. Reimbursements are issued after approval of final reports and supporting materials. This performance-based approach ensures accountability and aligns funding with measurable results. The application deadline for the 2027 funding cycle is September 30, 2026. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions following review. Funded projects must be completed within the 2027 calendar year. Through this program, Visit BG Ohio aims to strengthen the local tourism industry and support initiatives that enhance Bowling Green’s visibility as a vibrant destination for visitors and residents alike.

Demonstrate clear economic impact through increased overnight visitors and provide strong marketing and visitor projections