WCVA Awards Grant Funds for Tourism Development Projects

June 3rd, 2010 by WCVA

Funds allocated to local organizations to increase the area’s tourism products

BEAVERTON, Ore. (June 3, 2010) — The Washington County Visitors Association (WCVA), awarded $185,950 in tourism grants to local organizations. The WCVA is a destination marketing organization charged with marketing the county as a tourism destination. Up to $200,000 are allocated to local organizations annually for tourism development.

Selected by the WCVA’s grant committee, which is comprised of members of its board of directors, the seven recipients will receive the funds beginning in July for projects designed to enhance Washington County’s tourism products.

The sole purpose of the funds allocated is for the development or promotion of emerging events, activities and other tourism-related attractions in Washington County. To be considered for funding, projects must have the potential to attract and draw tourists from at least 50 miles outside of Washington County and the Portland Metro area, thereby increasing visitor spending in the local economy.

All grant recipients are required to demonstrate how the awarded funds increased visitor spending in Washington County from visitors who traveled from out of the Portland Metro area, as well as report a return on investment on these grants.

Recipients of the WCVA’s 2010-11 tourism grants are:

Organization

Project Description

Amount Awarded

Bag&Baggage Productions

Funding support for collateral materials to market a weekend hotel/entertainment packages to out-of-town visitors

$ 4,000

City of Forest Grove

Funding support to produce wayfinders signs and informational kiosks to direct visitors to local wineries, historic districts, amateur sports parks, historic downtown, Pacific University, outdoor recreation and other points of interest

$ 17,500

City of Hillsboro Parks and Recreation

Funding support for the installation of broadband, high-speed Internet at Hillsboro Stadium, required by sports organizations and media, and essential to secure events that bring in out of town visitors

$ 5,000

Forest Grove Rotary Club

Funding support to redesign the annual Concours d’Elegance website to increase the number of participants and visitors

$ 4,500

North Willamette Vintners Association

Funding support to expand existing programs and events that were developed in the past two years, as well as to develop additional wine-tourism related programs

$ 30,000

Friends of Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge

Funding support for the development of a county-wide festival that will attract nature-based tourists to Washington County

$  60,000

Prime Time Sports

Funding support for the development of a two-day, high school 7-on-7 passing tournament, which will lead up to the Les Schwab Bowl, Oregon’s annual all-star football game, at Hillsboro Stadium in Hillsboro, Oregon

$ 20,000

Prime Time Sports

Funding support for the development of a two-day elite holiday invitational basketball tournament with boys and girls divisions for grades 3-8

$ 20,000

RunwithPaula Events, Inc.

Funding support for the development of the Hippie Chick Half Marathon, an all women’s running and walking event to be held Mother’s Day Weekend, Sunday, May 8, 2011

$ 20,000

Tualatin Historical Society

Funding support for the development of a tourism plan for the “Tualatin Gateway to Valley of the Giants” exhibit

$ 4,950


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