WCVA Tourism Development Grants
Approximately 13 percent of the WCVA’s annual budget is allocated toward grants that will benefit Washington County’s tourism industry. These grants are selected and managed by the WCVA’s Grant Committee, comprised of select members of the board of directors.
About the WCVA’s Tourism Development Grant Program
The WCVA’s Tourism Development Grant program is a prescribed fund allocated to Washington County-based organizations, businesses, events or programs that are designed to increase and develop tourism to Washington County. This grant supports initiatives that are aligned with the “Tourism 2015” strategy, and intended to invest in the development of attractors that are going to directly lead to an increase in visitors to Washington County.
The WCVA has established criteria and weighting measurements for evaluating applications, with priority given to Washington County’s primary tourism attractors: wine, nature, sport, golf tourism and major event development.
Projects receiving funds must be completed within one year of allocation (fiscal year cycle). Funds are not intended to be allocated as an ongoing subsidy to organizations, with the exception of supporting visitor information centers, as outlined in the Washington County Chambers of Commerce Partnership Visitor Services Agreement.
We are no longer accepting applications for the 2012-2013 grant cycle. Announcements about our 2013-2014 grants will be made in early 2013.
Questions about the WCVA’s Tourism Development Grant Program? Please contact Martha Moore, director of operations, at 503-644-5555.
About the Washington County Chambers of Commerce Partnership Visitor Services Agreement
The Visitor Services Agreement is a $50,000 fund (and also is included in the tourism development grant program), which is directed to the local chambers of commerce. This partnership allocates funds solely for the support of each chamber’s visitor information services. The terms of the partnership include the establishment of criteria for chamber-run visitor information centers. All chambers in Washington County that operate a visitor information center receive a portion of the $50,000 fund.