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Logan County Tourism Announces Mini-Grant Opportunity
 

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[April 21, 2015]  LINCOLN - The Tourism Bureau of the Logan County Alliance is happy to announce that they are offering mini-grants to Logan County special events that can demonstrate “heads in beds” tourism for Logan County.

The Tourism Bureau offered versions of this type of grant for years. “We have streamlined the process and defined what events would qualify and what the money can and cannot be used for,” said Jean Bruner-Jachino, chairman of the Tourism council. Bruner-Jachino also said, “We did a pilot of this program last year and saw great success with it.”

The events that would qualify for these grants can be anything from the very large, like the Lincoln Balloon Festival which the previous Bureau had a long history of supporting financially, or something like a sports tournament just getting started that needs help advertising to prospective teams. As long as the event organizers can demonstrate the event itself will bring visitors to Logan County and stay in our hotels first and foremost, but also to shop in our stores, buy gas and eat in our restaurants are important factors the Council will consider when evaluating applications.

Applications that will be considered by the Bureau are those that can demonstrate that the grant money will go toward advertising and promotions to recruit visitors to come to the event. Money can be spent on the creation and production of any marketing collateral that will be distributed outside the Logan County area. Digital, radio and television ads will also qualify. The Bureau is always looking for other creative ways to market special events, so applicants are encourage to think outside the box. Tourism Bureau contracts with a company for billboard space and will extend the use of this billboard to certain special events that meet a certain threshold number of visitors.

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There are some events that may not qualify for actual grant money, but there are other ways Tourism can help support and grow these events. Through the special events over the last year the Tourism Bureau collected names of individuals that are interested in volunteering, creating a network of volunteers to call upon if needed. Welcome bags are available to groups coming into Logan County for various reasons. Tourism staff can also help distribute press releases to media, coordinate social media campaigns for events, and post information on the Destinationlogancountyil.com  website.

Organizers of events wishing to apply for a grant or tourism assistance can contact the office at 217-732-8687 email tour@destinationlogan countyil.com,  or go to www.destination logancountyil.com.  Grant applications are accepted year-round; however funds are limited. The Tourism Bureau encourages groups to apply soon.

[Andi Hake, Logan County Alliance/Logan County Tourism Bureau]

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