Grants For Tourism Businesses in Cumberland County

Cumberland Area Economic Development Corporation (CAEDC) is the official Destination Marketing Organization serving Cumberland County. CAEDC’s tourism efforts exist to generate visitor volume and spending by attracting business and leisure visitors, meetings or conventions and events to Cumberland Valley. CAEDC promotes Cumberland Valley as a tourist destination, attracts visitors to the area, enhances the visitor’s experience, and encourages and promotes overnight stays. Destination marketing efforts are funded by a county lodging tax that is assessed on each overnight stay in Cumberland Valley.

Since 2010, CAEDC has offered a variety of grant opportunities to Cumberland County partners to increase visitation to Cumberland Valley or enhance the visitor experience in a measurable way. There are currently three tourism-specific grant programs available.

Tourism Product Development Grant

Eligible applicants can apply for $25,000 – $250,000 in grant funding for soft product development and asset product development projects that increase visitation to Cumberland Valley or enhance the visitor experience in a measurable way. Organizations can only have one open Tourism Product Development Grant OR one open Tourism Recovery Grant at a time.

Destination Sales Grant

Eligible applicants can apply for $10,000 – $100,000 in grant funding for event expenses including bid fees, facility and shuttle rentals, and marketing and advertising to support overnight group travel to Cumberland Valley.

Tourism Recovery Grant

Eligible applicants can apply for $2,500 – $10,000 in grant funding for purchase of equipment, marketing or advertising to new audiences, development of new experiences or deferred maintenance projects that maintain or increase the number of products, experiences and services that draw overnight visitors to Cumberland Valley. Organizations can only have one open Tourism Product Development Grant OR one open Tourism Recovery Grant at a time.

Other Funding and Financing Opportunities

CAEDC offers a selection of financing programs, funding solutions and incentives for all types of businesses. Tourism partners could also be eligible for the Tourism Infrastructure Loan Fund.

Tourism Grant Awards

Since 2010, CAEDC has awarded over $2.3 million to over 200 tourism grant projects.

Tourism Grant Awards

Success Story

Lounge 611: A Comfortable Haven in Downtown Mechanicsburg

“The CAEDC grant was important because it allowed us to open with the ability to execute our vision fully. I appreciate their support, guidance, and help in bringing Lounge 611 to fruition. The grant dollars helped complete the necessary funding to build a beautiful and unique space.”

 

Billy Morrison, Owner and General Manager

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Success Story

Carlisle Pumptrack: Cumberland Valley’s Newest Bike Trail

“Thank you so much for your belief in the Carlisle Pumptrack. It wouldn’t be a reality without CAEDC’s vision and support. We have enjoyed working with you to develop a new community asset in Cumberland Valley through cycling, and we hope to further this mission with you in the future.”

 

Jonathan Cox, Jr., Carlisle Youth Cycling Development Representative

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Success Story

West Shore Theatre

“We have had nothing but positive feedback about our audio system for live events, projection and surround sound system for movies, and the room’s acoustics for all events. We would not have been able to install the level of equipment that allows us to do first-run movies that meet the highest-end industry standards without CAEDC’s contribution to the project. Patrons have been ‘wowed’ and are so complimentary about the entire project. They couldn’t be more pleased with how everything turned out.”

Dustin LeBlanc, Managing Director

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