INDIANA — The Indiana Office of Tourism Development has awarded nearly $250,000 in competitive grants to local entities for 24 projects that will enhance and expand the Indiana tourism industry. With support from the Indiana General Assembly and Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann, IOTD developed these grant programs to boost initiatives that increase industry effectiveness, improve marketing and communications and facilitate cooperation among local entities.

“The organizations receiving these awards represent Indiana’s vibrant and diverse tourism industry,” said Lt. Governor Ellspermann. “With IOTD’s leadership and support, these projects will benefit local communities and contribute significantly to our robust tourism economy.”

Grant funding was awarded for two programs: festival and event promotion; and marketing asset development.

The festival and event grants will assist with the promotion of events in Indiana that have a historical, cultural, artistic or culinary focus. To be eligible, an event must have been in existence for at least two years and have a pre-existing marketing budget equal to at least 10 percent of the event’s gross revenue. The maximum amount awarded from this program is $8,000. Recipients, the projects and amounts of the festival and event grant are:

• Main Street Greensburg: Tenderloin Throwdown, $8,000.
• Southwestern Indiana Regional Council on Aging (SWIRCA) & More: Brewfest Expanded Marketing Plan, $8,000.
• Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art: Indian Market and Festival, $8,000
• Cierra’s Club: Fear Factory Haunted House, $7,815.
• Swiss Wine Festival: Expanded Festival Advertising, $8,000.
• Downtown Danville Partnership:Mayberry in the Midwest Festival, $8,000.
• Noble County Convention & Visitors Bureau:2016 Kendallville Bluegrass Festival, $4,365.
• Cardinal Stage Company: 2016 Annual Holiday Show, $8,000.
• Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival: Auburn Auto Heritage Trail, $8,000.
• Lotus Education & Arts Foundation: Lotus World Music and Arts Festival, $8,000.
• Cumberland Goes to Market: Cumberland Goes to Market, $7,996.
• Museum of Miniature Houses: Dollhouse and Miniature Show/Sale, $5,275.
• North Adams Arts Council: Decatur Sculpture Tour, $8,000.
• Conner Prairie Interactive History Park: 2016 Curiosity Fair, $2,549.

The marketing assets grant program is designed to fund necessary products that increase awareness among leisure travelers and enhance the marketing effectiveness of the applicant. Grants are funded on a $1:$1 matching ratio, not to exceed $25,000. This program is dedicated to fostering collaboration and rewarded those proposals that demonstrated shared investment on the part of multiple partners in the public, private and non-profit sectors. This program does not fund paid advertising or media buys.

The marketing asset grant recipients are:

• Main Street Corydon: Wayfinding Signage, $24,710.
• Indiana Foodways Alliance: Mobile Responsible Website and Tradeshow Participation, $1,907.
• Brown County CVB: Mountain Biking Multimedia, $25,000.
• Lawrence County Tourism: Destination Photography, $2,500.
• Putnam County Convention & Visitors Bureau: Putnam County Website, $23,000.
• Conner Prairie Interactive History Park: Education Video and Supplemental Materials for Heritage Breeds Program, $12,500.
• Vincennes/Knox County Convention & Visitors Bureau: Wayfinding Signage, $14,788.
• Visit Hendricks County: Interactive Guide, signage and expansion of Rural Routes to Main Street Cultural Trail, $20,000.
• New Albany Historic Preservation Commission: Historic District Signage, $3,875.
• Science Central: Digital Signage, $18,049.

“We are thrilled to engage in this level of support and collaboration with our tourism partners throughout the state,” said Mark Newman, Visit Indiana’s executive director. “It will be exciting to watch these terrific projects develop and expand as a result of the new grant dollars.”

Visit Indiana’s new grant programs are designed to encourage collaboration between cities, towns, counties, non-profit and private sector entities. More information on the grant programs can be found by clicking here.

Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann oversees the Indiana Office of Tourism Development. Mark Newman serves as the agency’s executive director. IOTD is dedicated to enhancing the economic vitality of Indiana through leadership and resource support to the Indiana travel industry. The tourism and hospitality industry is the sixth largest industry in the state (excluding government), is directly responsible for nearly 140,500 jobs, generates over $2.1 billion in tax receipts and contributes $10 billion in revenue to Indiana businesses.