Travel Cottage Grove Grant Opportunity: Funds May Help Promote Your Next Community Event
Did you know that with the launch of Travel Cottage Grove comes an opportunity for community organizations and local business to apply for our Tourism Assistance Grant? It’s true! Part of our mission is to help promote some of the wonderful happenings that draw visitors to the Village and Town of Cottage Grove. So how does this process work, and who is eligible? Here are a few FAQs to answer most general questions.
What is Travel Cottage Grove and what is the Tourism Assistance Grant?
Cottage Grove Tourism Committee’s (Travel Cottage Grove) purpose is to promote Cottage Grove by bringing attention to the “CG experience” through marketing and supporting our community groups/businesses who want to attract additional visitors and organize and promote local community events. Travel Cottage Grove is entirely funded by hotel/motel tax revenue, not property tax dollars.
Where do grant funds come from and what can they be used for?
Grants are funded by room tax dollars collected from local hotels and short-term rentals such as VRBO and Airbnb. According to state law, these funds must be spent on endeavors that are likely to increase overnight stays in the municipality where they are collected. In addition, the funds must be used to promote and/or advertise events. This means, for example, grant money cannot be used to purchase raffle prizes or rent tents or pay staffers but could be used to create flyers or design and places ads that help increase awareness or drive traffic to an event.
How much is each grant and how can my business or organization apply?
· You may request up to $1,000. · Click travel_cottage_grove_application.docx to print and complete the application.
· Applications can be submitted at any time.
Send completed application and any supplemental material you would like the Tourism Committee to consider to: Britt Leach, Executive Director of Tourism at cgchamber@cottagegrovechamber.com or mail to Cottage Grove Chamber of Commerce PO Box 211, Cottage Grove, WI 53527.
The Tourism Committee meets monthly and will typically evaluate and vote on any grant applications received in the month prior during our regular meeting. On certain occasions we may discuss and vote via email if needed. We recommend applications be submitted at least 90 days prior to the event you are intending to promote.
How do you decide who gets grants and how is money dispersed?
The committee will make a determination on requests based on: the likelihood that the project will increase overnight stays; the overall economic impact expected; and the availability of funds at the time of the request. Whatever funds are approved should be considered a monetary commitment to be reimbursed later. To receive funds, receipts spent on the approved marketing/promotion initiatives must be submitted to cgchamber@cottagegrovechamber.com no later than 30 days after the event is completed. Funds will be paid for receipts submitted up to, but not exceeding, the amount of the approved original grant.
We’re excited to hear from you: what events do you have coming up that might qualify for the Tourism Assistance Grant and help draw visitors to Cottage Grove?