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.
CAEDC’s tourism grant programs are undergoing a program review. We are updating application guidelines, refining our review process, and reconsidering program parameters to ensure our grants are as competitive and impactful as possible.
As a result, the August and November 2026 grant cycles will be condensed into one cycle launching later this year. Details will be announced here and shared directly with interested applicants.
In the meantime, the Tourism Infrastructure Loan Fund remains available, and CAEDC staff are happy to discuss your project and help you prepare for the next cycle.
Tourism Grant Programs
Tourism Product Development Grant
Grant funding for physical product development projects (including construction, furniture, fixtures and equipment) that increase the number of products, experiences and services that will draw overnight visitors to Cumberland Valley. Though all applications with tourism merit will be considered, the program’s focus areas are outdoor recreation, agritourism, group facilities and downtown development. Applicants may only have one open Tourism Product Development Grant at a time. Prevailing Wage applies to Tourism Grant Funds.
- Guidelines
- Application
- Prevailing Wages
- Final Report
- Media Kit
- Email Ashley Kurtz, Tourism Development Manager
Tourism Partnership Grant
Grant funding for physical product development projects (including construction, fixtures, furniture and equipment) that increase the number of products, experiences and services that will draw overnight visitors to Cumberland Valley. Though all applications with tourism merit will be considered, the program’s focus areas are outdoor recreation, agritourism, group facilities, downtown development and historical/cultural signage. Applicants may only have one open Tourism Partnership Grant at a time. Prevailing Wage applies to Tourism Grant Funds.
- Guidelines
- Application
- Final Report
- Media Kit
- Email Ashley Kurtz, Tourism Development Manager
Destination Sales Grant
Grant funding for multi-day event expenses that increase group and conference overnight travel to Cumberland Valley, including: bid fees, facility and shuttle rentals, speaker or performer fees, and marketing and advertising. Projects requesting over $10,000 in grant awards must meet minimum overnight room requirements. Organizations may only have one open Destination Sales Grant for a given event at a time.
- Guidelines
- Application
- Final Report
- Media Kit
- Email Patrick Bourque, Destination Sales Manager
Tourism Grant Awards
Since the program began in 2010, more than $4.9 million in tourism grant funding has been awarded to 243 projects.
Other 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.
