GREENSBURG (Dec. 4, 2023) – Fifty-eight Westmoreland County tourism-related businesses and organizations were awarded a combined total of $616,271 during a presentation Monday at The Palace Theatre. Ninety-seven applications were submitted for this year’s program.
The annual Westmoreland County Tourism Grant Program is funded by revenues generated by the Westmoreland County Hotel Room Tax. Awards are granted annually on the basis of merit as determined by the Grant Review Committee and administered by the Westmoreland County Commissioners and GO Laurel Highlands, the county’s official destination marketing organization. Since the program’s inception, $7,570,337 has been awarded in tourism grants. A complete list of grant recipients and their projects will be available online at www.golaurelhighlands.com/grants.
The total of more than $600,000 represents a 12.24% increase from 2022.
“This is the largest grant cycle in the history of the Westmoreland County Tourism Grant program,” said Ann Nemanic, executive director of GO Laurel Highlands. “Once again, the Westmoreland Board of Commissioners recognizes the importance of tourism and understands this as a segment of economic development. Important to note are numerous first-time recipients. These marketing dollars provide important opportunities for each recipient to broaden and enhance their overall marketing budgets. For some, these grant dollars are their singular source for marketing. As we exit the yearlong celebration of Westmoreland 250, the momentum must continue. This continued reinvestment into tourism businesses helps the county and the Laurel Highlands remain a destination of choice.”
The Westmoreland County Tourism Grant Review Committee was comprised of Matt Hegan, general manager of Oak Lodge; Bob Hamilton, Kyli Stoner and Brian Merdian, each of whom was appointed by the board of commissioners; and Ann Nemanic, executive director of GO Laurel Highlands.