CAEDC Awards Nearly $1 Million in Tourism Grants for Cumberland County; 2026 Application Still Open

Cumberland Valley, Pa. (April 8, 2026) –

The Cumberland Area Economic Development Corporation (CAEDC), through the Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau, has awarded $994,140 in tourism grant funding to support 14 projects across Cumberland County.

The funding is part of CAEDC’s ongoing commitment to strengthening the region’s tourism economy by enhancing visitor experiences, supporting local businesses, and investing in attractions that draw travelers to the Cumberland Valley. In 2025, CAEDC administered three grant programs: the Tourism Recovery Grant, Tourism Product Development Grant, and Destination Sales Grant.

A list of awarded projects is below:

2025 Tourism Product Development Grant

• Cumberland Valley Rails to Trails received a $176,000 grant to assist with construction of a trail along Middle Spring Creek. The project will connect the Shippensburg Station trailhead of the Cumberland Valley Rail Trail to downtown Shippensburg.
• Destiny Dairy Bar received a $152,777 grant to enhance visitor experiences on the farm. Improvements include a pavilion with shade, seating, and lighting, a food truck for on-farm dining, and a concrete entrance to the cow barn to improve access for strollers and children.
• Midway Bowl received a $133,709 grant to update event rooms, add better seating and shade to the outdoor patio, and install new windows and an ADA-accessible door.
• Jubilee Cake Studio received an $87,020 grant to expand the indoor play area playhouses, amusement equipment, and LED displays.
• The Event Cafe was awarded a $76,586 grant for ADA accessibility upgrades and structural improvements.
• Shippensburg University received a $74,000 grant to support new equipment purchases that will enhance performance quality at the H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center.
• Shippensburg University Foundation received a $25,260 grant to support the creation and installation of “Happy Birthday! America’s Milestone Celebrations from Lafayette to Today,” an exhibit celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary at the Shippensburg Fashion Archives.

2025 Tourism Recovery Grant

• Denim Coffee was awarded a $10,000 grant for new furniture, a water filling station, butcher-block tabletops, and additional enhancements. Denim Coffee’s award was highlighted in a recent Success Story.
• Williams Grove Historical Steam Engine Association received a $5,819 grant to replace a 40-year-old sound system.

2025 Destination Sales Grant

• New Cumberland Olde Towne Association received a $120,000 multi-year grant for the Iron Bridge Festival to support entertainment and event expenses.
• Innovation Management Consulting LLC received an $89,812 multi-year grant for the PA Gospel Fest in Shippensburg to cover artist fees and related expenses.
• Carlisle Family YMCA was awarded a $24,155 grant for the Carlisle Crush Volleyball Tournament, supporting field maintenance and facility upgrades.
• Pennsylvania Junior Wrestling received a $12,000 grant to assist with hiring officials and renting timing equipment and mats for the Youth Championships.
• Professional Women and Women Entrepreneurs Association received a $7,000 grant to assist with performance and venue fees for the Annual Gala Dinner at the Penn Harris Hotel.

Since the program began in 2010, more than $4.2 million in tourism grant funding has been awarded to 237 projects.

Amy Brickner, Owner and Operator of Destiny Dairy Bar, said, “This grant and support from CAEDC means so much to me. I came home with a vision of creating a place where people could truly connect, with the farm, with the food, and with each other. This grant helps bring that vision to life in a bigger way by making the farm more comfortable, more accessible, and more enjoyable for every single person who visits. I’m just incredibly grateful and excited for what this allows us to build.”

2026 Tourism Grant Opportunities

CAEDC is currently accepting applications for its 2026 Tourism Grant program. Available opportunities include:

• Tourism Product Development Grant: Supports physical product development projects seeking between $25,000 and $500,000 for creating new tourism experiences that attract overnight visitors or provide experiences for visitors already in-market, including construction, furniture and fixtures, and equipment.
• Tourism Partnership 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.
• Destination Sales Grant: Provides $3,000 to $10,000 for multi-day event expenses, including bid fees, facility or shuttle rentals, speaker or performer fees, and marketing or advertising costs.

Tourism grant applications are reviewed quarterly. The next Tourism Grant Program application deadline is May 8, 2026. Grants are reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis as funds are available.

“CAEDC’s tourism grant program helps turn great ideas into visitor-focused experiences that strengthen Cumberland County’s appeal. By investing in projects that enhance attractions, events, and infrastructure, we’re driving tourism growth, supporting local businesses, and creating lasting economic impact for our community,” said CAEDC’s Director of Tourism and Marketing, Laura Delaney.

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