$1.1 Million Awarded for Tourism Projects in Cumberland County in Q2; Nearly $1.9 Million in 2026

Cumberland Valley, Pa. (August 5, 2026) – 

The Cumberland Area Economic Development Corporation (CAEDC), through the Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau, is excited to announce it is awarding $1,121,472 in tourism grants in the program’s Q2 application window.

CAEDC recently announced a first round of tourism grant awards in the amount of $768,384, bringing 2026 Year-To-Date award amounts to $1,889,856.

The Cumberland Valley Tourism Grants fall into three categories: Tourism Product Development, Destination Sales, and Tourism Partnership.

Tourism Product Development Grant

The Tourism Product Development Grant funds 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 and increase the length of their stay.

Awarded Projects Include:

Keystone Trails Association: $500,000 award

Keystone Trails Association supports a wide range of hiking-related activities across Pennsylvania and is in the process of taking ownership of Scott Farm in Carlisle, an access point for the Appalachian Trail and Conodoguinet Creek Water Trail. Keystone Trails Association plans to upgrade the current site, and the grant award will go towards renovating the existing farmhouse into a visitor center featuring a welcome area with interpretive signage, retail area, restrooms, and conference rooms, along with a water filling station, visitor crosswalk, enhanced parking and signage, and an outdoor single vault toilet.

“Thanks to this most generous grant from CAEDC, we are taking a giant step forward towards realizing our vision of creating a premier outdoor recreation and trail maintenance hub in South Central Pennsylvania. We are not only excited for our organization and partners but also thrilled that this unique resource is on its way to becoming a destination for outdoor recreation. Over the next few short years, we’ll be working to bring this vision to life and create a place that welcomes visitors from across the region and beyond,” said Holly Smith, Executive Director of Keystone Trails Association.

Ashcombe Mansion Property, LLC: $239,945 award

Ashcombe Mansion has served as a destination event venue for weddings, private celebrations, and corporate events since opening in 2021. A new addition to the property is the creation of Tavern 1891, a three-story, neo-British gastropub that should bring the same level of creative aesthetic. The grant award will assist with tables and chairs, benches, and a POS system.

Carlisle Golf Group, LLC: $187,875 award

The Carlisle Golf Group, operating as the Carlisle Country Club, is a 100-year-old recreational and event venue under new management and is currently undergoing renovations to modernize the facility, strengthen operations, improve guest experience and restore the property as a regional destination for golf outings and events. The renovated event spaces are available for the public to book for weddings, corporate gatherings, and special occasions. The grant award will assist with upgrades to the facility’s nearly 200-person Banquet Room, the boardroom-style Carlisle Room and the outdoor patio. Upgrades include tables and chairs, flooring, sound dampening panels, lighting, and window treatments, as well as limited equipment.

Army Heritage Center Foundation: $32,433 award

The Army Heritage Center Foundation is the nonprofit partner of the United States Army Heritage and Education Center. The grant award will assist with the purchase of an electric tram that will be utilized to shuttle visitors and groups along the Army Heritage Trail, making the trail more accessible and streamlining group tours.

Destination Sales Grant

The Destination Sales Grant funds 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.

World Downhill Skateboarding Championships (WDSC): $99,948 award

WDSC is a multi-event premier international series showcasing the spectacular sporting disciplines of Downhill Skateboarding and Street Luge. WDSC will host a leg of the Championship Tour in Cumberland Valley in May 2027. Each race brings about 125-150 competitors, along with about 150 friends and family, plus 40 support staff.

Carlisle Comic Con: $10,000 award

Carlisle Comic Con is a pop culture convention held in Carlisle, featuring artists, writers, creators, media guests, and vendors; often highlighting comics, sci-fi, horror, and fantasy genres. The 2026 event will take place at the Carlisle Expo Center for 3 days: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 16, 17 and 18.

USS Long Beach: $10,000 award

Members of the U.S. Navy Ship, USS Long Beach CGN-9, will hold their annual reunion in Cumberland Valley and will celebrate the country’s 250th birthday. The event will be at the Penn Harris Hotel & Conference Center in September.

Professional Women and Woman Entrepreneurs Association (POWER): $7,773 award

POWER’s Women’s Sports Program highlights women’s wellness, fitness, community training, leadership development, women’s empowerment, presentations, and vendor exhibits.

Tourism Partnership Grant

The grant offers funding from $2,500 to $10,000 for smaller-scale product development projects that expand tourism products, experiences, or services designed to attract overnight visitors to Cumberland Valley and increase the length of stay by visitors.

Cumberland Drive In-Theatre, LLC: $10,000 award

The Cumberland Drive-In Theatre is a 500-car outdoor movie theatre in Newville that is open on weekends from April through September and has been in operation for the last 74 years and is one of about 300 drive-ins remaining across the country. The grant award will assist with connecting the facility to public water, and includes excavation and installation, the Newville Tap Fee, and a contingency for possible limestone removal. This will allow the facility to be available for more openings and events.

Cumberland Youth Cycling Development: $10,000 award

Cumberland Youth Cycling Development provides structured mountain biking instruction and operates the Carlisle Pump Track and adjacent bike park in Carlisle Borough’s Valley Meadow Park. The grant award will assist with creating a dedicated Skills Area that will allow riders to practice technical features in a controlled environment, serve as the entry point for riders preparing to explore the nearby Michaux State Forest, and create opportunities for CYCD to host regional competitions.

Williams Grove Historical Steam Engine Association: $9,096 award

WGHSEA was formed in 1959 to preserve the historical role of steam-operated machinery and agricultural equipment through education and live demonstrations. They will be hosting the National J.I. Case Collectors Show at their Mechanicsburg fairgrounds during the 2026 Annual Fall Steam Show, which includes an estimated 100–200-member banquet. The grant award will assist with buying tables, chairs, and storage so that they can efficiently host this and future banquets and seated events.

Village Artisans Gallery, LLC: $6,849 award

The Village Artisans Gallery has offered fine handcrafted works from artists in downtown Boiling Springs for 31 years. The Gallery came under the new management of one of its craftswomen over a year ago. The grant award will assist in minor construction to make visitor-friendly updates, including re-imaging the back space of the gallery to be a multiuse space for classes and demonstrations and updating the restroom. Costs include construction, materials, demonstration table, and stools.

“CAEDC is proud to invest over $1.8 million into Cumberland Valley’s tourism economy so far this year,” said Laura Delaney, Director of Tourism & Marketing, Cumberland Area Economic Development Corporation. “These awards support everything from long-standing community landmarks to brand-new ventures, and each one strengthens our region’s ability to draw overnight visitors and grow the local economy. We look forward to seeing these projects come to life.”

The latest round of CAEDC Tourism Grants opened on Monday, August 3, 2026, and will close on Friday, September 4, 2026.

Businesses and organizations with tourism-facing projects interested in applying for a Tourism Grant, can reach out to Ashley Kurtz at akurtz@visitcumberlandvalley.com to discuss their project.

Businesses and organizations with tourism-facing events can reach out to Patrick Bourque at patrick@visitcumberlandvalley.com to discuss their event.

To learn more about CAEDC’s tourism grants, including eligibility, timelines, and application guidelines, visit cumberlandbusiness.com/tourism-grants.

About CAEDC

CAEDC is Cumberland County’s lead certified economic development organization charged with leveraging and promoting Cumberland Valley’s economic development and tourism assets to drive growth, create jobs and improve the quality of life. Offices are located at 230 S. Sporting Hill Road, Suite 100, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050. For more information, visit www.cumberlandbusiness.com and www.visitcumberlandvalley.com.