HCVB Winter Tourism Stimulus Grant Program
The Huntingdon County Visitors Bureau (HCVB) Winter Tourism Stimulus Grant is designed to encourage the development of new or enhanced visitor experiences, events and targeted marketing campaigns that specifically attract tourism activity and overnight stays during the non-peak season (defined as January 1st through March 31st).
The primary goal of this grant is to diversify the county's tourism offerings and increase wintertime occupancy and visitor spending, thereby strengthening the year-round economic resilience of the hospitality sector.
1. Eligible Applicants
To be eligible for the Winter Tourism Stimulus Grant, applicants must be one of the following and must operate a tourism-related business or service within Huntingdon County:
- For-Profit Tourism Businesses: Including lodging properties, restaurants/breweries, attractions, tour operators and retail shops where tourism is a primary revenue source.
- Non-Profit Organizations: Organizations with a tourism-related mission, such as museums, arts organizations, historical societies and community event organizers.
- Municipal Governments: Local governments seeking to develop public-facing winter tourism infrastructure or events.
2. Eligible Projects
The fund prioritizes projects that demonstrably lead to increased overnight visitation and new winter programming. Projects must occur or be fully marketed for the period of January 1st through March 31st.
A. New or Expanded Product Development (Priority)
Projects focused on creating compelling reasons for visitors to travel and stay in Huntingdon County during the winter.
- Signature Event Creation: Funding for the development or expansion of winter-specific festivals, markets, culinary events or competitions.
- Infrastructure & Equipment: Purchase of non-permanent equipment necessary for a new winter tourism activity (e.g., snowshoe rentals, ice fishing gear, temporary lighting for outdoor attractions, seasonal heating equipment for outdoor event spaces).
- Unique Experience Packages: Costs associated with developing, curating and launching new, bookable winter tourism packages (e.g., historical snow tours, specialized culinary workshops, winter retreat programming).
B. Targeted Winter Marketing Campaigns
Marketing and promotional efforts that exclusively target visitors from outside a 50-mile radius of Huntingdon County.
- Digital advertising, social media campaigns and print materials promoting new winter events/products.
- Familiarization (FAM) tour costs for attracting travel writers or tour operators during the winter months.
- Development of specialized winter-themed promotional videos or photography.
HCVB Winter Campaign Alignment: Applicants are strongly encouraged, though not required, to align their proposed project or its marketing elements with the Huntingdon County Visitors Bureau's current winter marketing campaign strategy. Alignment can maximize promotional effectiveness and leverage the HCVB's broader marketing reach.
C. Financial Sustainability Expectation
Projects, especially those related to new events or products, must clearly outline a plan for financial self-sufficiency or scaling in subsequent years (Year 2 and Year 3) without relying on future HCVB grant funding. This plan should detail anticipated revenue streams (e.g., ticket sales, sponsorship, user fees) and potential for community ownership.
3. Ineligible Expenses
Normal operating expenses (salaries, utilities, rent).
General capital improvements not directly related to a new winter tourism product (e.g., basic roofing, HVAC repair).
Food or alcoholic beverages for resale or general consumption.
Marketing materials not specifically targeted for the January–March period.
Refinancing or repayment of existing debt.
Projects that occur exclusively outside of Huntingdon County.
4. Grant Award Details and Matching Requirement
A. Grant Maximum and Minimum
Maximum Request: $20,000
Minimum Request: $400
B. Required Match
All grant funds must be matched at least 25% by the recipient.
Example: If an applicant requests a $3,000 grant, the total project cost must be at least $4,000, with the applicant providing a minimum of $1,000 in matching funds.
- Matching Fund Eligibility: Matching funds can be composed of:
- Cash Match: Monies from the applicant or a third-party, private funding source.
- In-Kind Match: Volunteer hours (valued at the current federal rate), donated professional services (e.g., graphic design, website development) or donated materials/supplies essential to the project.
C. Disbursement
Funds will be distributed to grantees on a reimbursement basis only, upon submission of final invoices, proof of payment and the final program report.
5. Application Review Criteria
Applications will be reviewed and scored based on the following criteria, with the highest priority given to projects that demonstrate measurable economic impact:
- Impact on Overnight Stays (35%): Does the project clearly incentivize visitors to stay overnight in Huntingdon County during the winter months? Is the project's success measurable by lodging occupancy or package sales?
- Product Novelty/Innovation (30%): Does the project represent a new or significantly expanded offering that diversifies the county's winter tourism product?
- Financial Sustainability and Execution Capacity (20%): Is the project budget realistic, and does the applicant have the necessary partnerships and resources to execute the project by the deadline? Does the proposal include a credible plan for the financial self-sufficiency and long-term viability of the product or event after the initial grant period (e.g., Year 2 and Year 3 projections)?
- Local Collaboration (10%): Does the project involve two or more tourism-related businesses or organizations within Huntingdon County?
- County Commission Support (5%): Has the applicant secured a formal letter of support or resolution of approval from the Huntingdon County Commissioners prior to submitting the application?