Garfield County Office of Tourism grants local organizations $119,000 to help increase tourism
By Brendan Gwynn
In response to 2018 funding requests, the Garfield County Office of Tourism has contributed $119,000 to local organizations within the county — nearly $10,000 more than last year. The funds will be utilized by groups for local events and out-of-state marketing efforts with the goal to increase tourism and spending in the county.
“Hosting interesting events plays an important role in creating an active community,” said Falyn Owens, director of Garfield County’s tourism office. “The county always has a great blend of appealing activities that effectively showcase what makes our region of Utah so unique. These events support local business and give people a reason to visit.”
For the 2018 tourism season, Garfield County contributed a total of $53,000 to 18 organizations through its event-funding program. Nearly every organization was granted the maximum of $3,000, which is used by recipients for the expenses connected with hosting an event. Some of the events being subsidized by the county include the Panguitch Lake Ice Fishing Derby, the Canyon 2 Canyon Bike Ride, Moqui Motor Madness, and the Color Me Fun Run.
In addition to the funds given for events, the county awarded $66,000 to 14 different entities for co-op marketing purposes. This money will be used by groups to increase out-of-state advertising efforts or to enhance tourism projects within the county. Some organizations might also opt to put the funds toward updating brochures, travel guides, websites, pamphlets, and other marketing materials.
Each year, nonprofit organizations have the option to request funds from the county by completing an application that involves an oral presentation. Through this process, the group must demonstrate how an event or project will attract visitors from outside the state. Garfield County’s tourism council reviews the application and grants funds to an organization if the council believes an event or project is likely to increase Transient Room Tax revenues.
The county has made the process of obtaining funds more competitive in recent years. This past application period introduced changes designed to improve how county tourism funds are allocated and used. One of these changes is a post-event survey that must be distributed by organizations that were granted county funds. The survey asks event participants questions about their stay in the county and experiences there. Another adjustment is that Garfield County will not provide funding for events happening during the county fair Aug. 13–18.
“The updates made to the event funding application are intended to improve the process and allow us to better distribute funds,” Owens said. “We want contributions to be used in the best way possible, and these application changes — including the information gained from the post-event survey — will help as we plan future events and activities within the county.”
For more information on the criteria, request process, and applications for event funding and co-op marketing, visit garfield.utah.gov/departments/tourism. The applications for the 2019 tourism season will be available near the end of 2018.
Articles related to “Garfield County Office of Tourism grants local organizations $119,000 to help increase tourism”
Petition to reinstate terminated Dixie State University professors circulating online
Dixie State University is firing people, again — a suggestion on how to respond
Dear Dixie State University and Legend Solar: Show me the money
