A tourism grant program led by the Gilmer Chamber for the first time this year will continue headed into 2022.
The grants are funded by local hotel-motel taxes collected in Ellijay, East Ellijay and Gilmer County. Lodging tax revenue collected in the cities and county is split with the chamber, the official Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) for the three.
By state law, the chamber’s portion of the tax revenue must be spent on promoting tourism in some way, noted Jennifer Grimmer, Gilmer Chamber president and CEO.
“We’re aware that we don’t do every event (here), so, in order to share that money in a way that was compliant with state law, we came up with a grant program which worked really well,” Grimmer said.
“We took a portion of the lodging tax we received and earmarked it to give to nonprofits, which do events that tourists can attend. The grants can only be used by nonprofits for the promotion of events or activities, which can be enjoyed by visitors, as well as residents.”
Earlier this year, the chamber distributed a total of $50,000 in grants to several local event-presenting nonprofits.
Recipients included Friends of Harrison Park, Blue Ridge Mountain Parade of Homes, Downtown Ellijay Business and Community Association, Gilmer Arts, Dancing Goats Folk Festival, Georgia Mountain Trail Partnership and the Georgia Apple Festival board of directors.
Representatives from both cities and the county decide who receives the grants, Grimmer noted.
“That way, everyone is well represented,” she said. “As long as people use the money for the right reasons and turn in their report, they’re eligible for it every year.”
The chamber is currently taking applications for the 2022 grant awards, which will total $75,000. Grimmer said checks will be available as soon as Jan 1.
The applying nonprofits can either spend money first, then use the promotional grant funding for reimbursement, or ask for a certain amount up front, Grimmer noted.
“We have more to give away this time, but I think the money will be gone earlier. I want every nonprofit to be aware of it,” she added.
The Gilmer Chamber can be contacted for a list of guidelines or an application, Grimmer said.
“I encourage them to come to the chamber. That way, we can have a conversation with them,” she added.