bws #16 01/12

TOURISM GRANT DEADLINE IS JAN. 31

TOMS RIVER - Ocean County nonprofit organizations and government agencies have until Jan. 31 to apply for the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders' Matching Tourism Promotional Grants.

Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari said, "The tourism grant program helps these groups benefit from the tourism dollars that flow into the county by promoting those activities which tourists are likely to support."

The grants fund programs which attract visitors into the county such as advertising, publishing calendars of events and informational brochures and website tourism related enhancements. Bonus points are awarded for programs which promote coming to Ocean County off-season and midweek. The grant also requires the recipients to include the countywide tourism website and toll-free telephone number in any publications or advertising.

"We want the grantees to work as a team and promote one another. That can be done through the inclusion of these countywide informational services," Vicari said.

The grant application is available on the home page of the county's official website, www.co.ocean.nj.us. The grant amount must be matched dollar-for-dollar by the applicant. The minimum grant amount is $500, which means the organization or agency must have at least a $1,000 promotional budget.

Questions should be directed to the Ocean County Public Affairs and Tourism Department at 732-929-2000.

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