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Press Release

Publish Date: 5/22/2015

County Executive and Legislature Announce Local Tourism Grant Award Winners

FONDA - County Executive Matthew L. Ossenfort and Legislative Chairman Martin P. Kelly announced the winners of the Montgomery County Local Tourism Grants, at a meeting of the County Legislature, on Tuesday, May 12. Each of the organizations was chosen to receive money to use for a tourism related event.

"Tourism is an important economic driver," Ossenfort said. "Montgomery County is rich with historic sites, outdoor activities and various places to visit. These grant awards will help strengthen the events that these organizations plan to host this year throughout the county."

The grant money was appropriated into the 2015 budget and is generated by the Occupancy Tax. These grants make up a portion of that tax, which was intended to be used towards efforts to increase tourism in the county.

Picture of grant winners holding their certificates

Montgomery County Legislators present certificates to local organizations who received Tourism Grant Awards. Pictured from left, holding certificates, are representatives from the Fort Plain Museum, Palatine Settlement Society, Fulton Montgomery Community College, Amsterdam Waterfront Foundation and Montgomery County Historical Society. In the back row stand County Legislators Terry A. Bieniek (District 5), Roy S. Dimond (District 3), Robert A. Purtell (District 9), Martin P. Kelly (District 1) and Barbara S. Wheeler (District 7).

"The tourism industry plays an important role in Montgomery County and we should always be looking to improve how we can appeal to visitors," Kelly said. "Every person that comes into the county and every dollar they spend is critically important to our economy."

"Economic development and tourism go hand in hand," said Legislator Robert Purtell (District 9), Chairman of the Economic Development Committee. "These awards provide funds to help draw visitors and better market the area."

The proposals covered everything from bringing entertainment acts into the county to hosting conferences and festivals and enhancing marketing, to spread the word about planned events. The winners and the projects they intend to use the grant money for are listed below.

  • Montgomery County Historical Society - A Taste of History
  • Amsterdam Waterfront Foundation - Riverlink Summer Series 2015
  • Palatine Settlement Society - Mohawk Country's Julyfest
  • Fort Plain Museum - 1st Conference on the American Revolution
  • The Friends of Schoharie Crossing - Canal Days
  • Amsterdam Mohawks, Inc. - Hey Jude Beatles Band & Baseball Tournament
  • George Landis Arboretum - Marketing Weddings at Landis Arboretum
  • Hummingbird Hills Winery - Classic Car Show
  • Dan's Backyard BBQ - Amateur MMA on the River
  • Mohawk Valley Collective - 2nd Annual Unity Hall Summer Music Series
  • Fulton Montgomery Community College - Buck Moon Regional Arts Festival