Tompkins County seeks applicants for tourism capital grants

ITHACA, N.Y. — The Tompkins County Department of Planning and Sustainability is accepting applications for fall 2022 tourism capital grants.

The grants support major investments in “visitor-generating” projects such as theaters, parks, museums, and other cultural and recreational attractions, Ithaca Area Economic Development (IAED) said in its Tuesday announcement.

IAED is a private, nonprofit economic-development organization serving Ithaca and Tompkins County.

Recipients can use the funding for design, renovation, and new building projects; investments in unique permanent installations such as exhibits; and feasibility studies of potential projects, IAED said.

The typical award range is between $5,000 and $100,000. The application deadline is set for Sept. 12.

“Attracting tourism to Tompkins County is critical to the overall health and stability of our local economy and we are pleased to support organizations that play such a key part in this endeavor through the dissemination of our Fall 2022 tourism grants,” Nick Helmholdt, Tompkins County principal planner and tourism program director, said.

Tompkins County’s hotel-room occupancy tax funds the tourism capital grants, IAED said. The county has budgeted a total of $242,000 for the current round of projects.

IAED administers the program on behalf of Tompkins County. Interested applicants are “strongly encouraged” to schedule a pre-application meeting with IAED by emailing kurta@IthacaAreaED.org.

“We are pleased to assist our partners with the Tourism Capital Grants program, and to help support some of the many organizations that play such a key role in supporting the economic vitality of our community through tourism,” Heather McDaniel, president of Ithaca Area Economic Development, said.