Bucks tourism grant totals $216,000

DOYLESTOWN Visit Bucks County, the county's tourism promotion agency, announced its fall 2015 Tourism Grant program recipients.

The program was instituted seven years ago to "assist in the development and enhancement of the not-for-profit tourism product in Bucks County," the agency said. It is supported by a portion of the Bucks County lodging tax.

This fall, Visit Bucks County distributed $216,000 to 24 Bucks County not-for-profits, it said. Overall, Visit Bucks County said, it has distributed more than $2.5 million in tourism funds since 2008.

The money is to be used for advertising, new museum exhibits, increased signage, restorations, website redesigns and enhancements, marketing collateral, capital improvements, and other projects.

The largest amount this round, $30,000, went to the Friends of Washington Crossing Park. The James A. Michener Art Museum and the Mercer Museum each received $25,000.

Applications for the next grant are due April 1. For information about the application process, go to www.visitbuckscounty.com/about-vbc/partners/grant-program/.

- Staff report