bws #10 01/10
TOURISM GRANT DEADLINE JAN. 29
TOMS RIVER-- Jan. 29 is the deadline for nonprofit organizations and municipalities in Ocean County to apply for the Board
of Chosen Freeholders Matching Tourism Promotional grants.
Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari said the popular grants help the economic development of the county by promoting events and
activities of interest to tourists.
Freeholder Vicari said, "Ocean County is recognized for hosting stellar, family oriented activities. Supporting them
through this promotional grant program not only benefits the local tourism economy, it also helps put some of those tourism
dollars into the treasuries of local organizations and benefits their many worthy causes. Everybody wins. Best of all, our
residents also get to enjoy what is being promoted."
Applications can be completed on-line at www.co.ocean.nj.us, but must be submitted to the Ocean County Public Affairs
Department off-line with an original and four hard copies. For information, call Public Affairs at 732-929-2000.
The minimum grant amount is $500 which must be matched equally by the organization, resulting in a minimum budget of $1,000
for promotional purposes. To qualify the organization must be based in Ocean County or substantially benefit Ocean County
tourism.
Funds cannot be used for the hard costs associated with events such as salaries, ad journals, or equipment. Examples of
qualifying activities are advertisements, posters, brochures and rack cards, banners and websites which promote tourism.
This is the 22nd year the Board of Chosen Freeholders has funded the grants. The applications are made available in
December. The last business day of January is the deadline for submitting them.
Ocean County Tourism Council Chair Lori Pepenella said, "The freeholders understand that this is an investment in the local
economy. We applaud their vision and appreciate their support of both the tourism industry and the dozens of local
nonprofit organizations that also benefit from the grant program."
