WAYNESBORO VA– Greater Augusta Regional Tourism (GART) announces the release of the spring grant program for 2018. GART, which incorporates tourism efforts from Staunton, Augusta County and Waynesboro, will focus on businesses operating within those localities. The program enables up to four grant awards of $2,500 maximum per grant.
Judges for the GART grants will include all GART Board Members as well as two independent representatives. The deadline to turn in applications is February 23, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. Grant recipients will be announced on March 9, 2018.
Applications will be evaluated based on the degree of impact upon tourism in the region, use of new initiatives applied to the tourism sector, marketing plans and strength of partnerships and creativity. Tourism impact can be defined as promoting the GART region in order to increase the number of visitors.
“GART grants, similar to the Virginia Tourism Corporation’s Marketing Leverage Program grants, stress marketing initiatives,” said Courtney Cranor, Assistant Director of Economic Development and Tourism in Waynesboro and current GART Chair. “We’re looking for applicants to demonstrate their plans to heavily promote their programs and/or events to bring in visitors from outside of 50 miles.”
“Regional grants are important to GART as we look for those programs raising the bar for partnerships, geographic impact and creativity. Our tourism partners strengthen the Staunton, Augusta and Waynesboro area,” said Sheryl Wagner, Director of Tourism for the City of Staunton.
Those interested in applying for the GART grant may contact Courtney Cranor, GART Chair, at CranorCS@ci.waynesboro.va.us or 540-942-6644.
About Greater Augusta Regional Tourism (GART): GART serves as the regional tourism initiative for Staunton, Augusta County and Waynesboro. Founded in 2003 and formalized in 2007, the program includes the development and execution of marketing to promote the region as a destination encompassing all three jurisdictions.
Greater Augusta Regional Tourism
Contact: Courtney Cranor, City of Waynesboro
Phone: 540-942-6644
E-mail: CranorCS@ci.waynesboro.va.us
Contact: Sheryl Wagner, City of Staunton
Phone: 540-332-3865
E-mail: WagnerSS@ci.staunton.va.us
Contact: Rebekah Castle, Augusta County
Phone: 540-245-5619
E-mail: RCastle@co.augusta.va.us
