Local
Harford County Office of Economic Development
03/06/18
04/13/18 5:00 PM Receipt
Grants to Harford County, Maryland nonprofit organizations to promote tourism opportunities in the local area. Eligible tourism activities may fall under one of the following categories: cultural, heritage and preservation, historical, sports, agricultural, and ecotourism.
The Harford County Office of Economic Development and the Economic Development Advisory Board are committed to supporting the privatized efforts of industry-led tourism in Harford County and serving as good stewards of Harford County’s new hotel lodging tax revenue. A portion which is not allocated to directly support municipalities shall be used to financially support a competitive funding application process to encourage enhanced tourism-related activities that augment the County’s cultural, historical, agricultural, eco- and sports tourism and heritage aspects that serve to make Harford County a premier tourism destination.
To carry out this mission, the Economic Development Advisory Board’s Tourism Activity Review Committee will review and score eligible applications serving as recommendation to the County Executive who will seek County Council approval to award operating and project funds to qualified organizations.
EDAB Responsibilities:
-Develop and maintain an award process in accordance with state and local funding requirements.
-Develop procedures and policies for submission and funding of proposals.
-Review and evaluate applications for award funds.
-Recommend allocation based on available funding per organization.
-Make award recommendation to County Executive.
-Monitor and evaluate effectiveness of process and program.
Purpose of Funding:
-To enhance the ability of public/private sector organizations to provide enhanced tourism-related programs and activities making Harford County a premier tourism destination.
-To address the operational and program needs of public/private organizations that are striving to deliver effective and efficient tourism-related activities that reflect the cultural, historical, agricultural eco-and sports tourism and heritage aspects of our community.
Eligible Activities:
1. Tourism-related activities that serve to attract a transient population defined as those who enter our County from outside its geographic borders for the purpose of entertainment, education or athletic competition and can be categorized as at least one of the following:
-Cultural
-Historical
-Agricultural
-Eco-Tourism
-Sports Tourism
-Heritage and Preservation
2. Activities that can be accomplished during a 12-month period, including operating funds.
3. Activities that promote Harford County in a positive light, pose no inherent threat of danger to participants and showcase quality of life in County.
4. Activities that do not discriminate on basis of race, religion, ability or sexual orientation.
5. Activities that support the applicant’s operations or its programs.
Examples of Eligible Funding Items:
-Salaries: Employee wages
-Contractual: Rent, lease of office equipment and building space, utilities, telephone, website services, advertising/marketing, general liability, unemployment insurance, professional services (legal, audit/financial, etc.), service and maintenance contracts; tent rentals, event security, equipment rental.
-Supplies/Materials: General office supplies, printing, postage and delivery, janitorial supplies, food, small tools (hammers, etc.) audio/visual equipment, computer supplies and software, printer cartridges, paper, etc.
-Other: If you have other items not mentioned above, please contact the Office of Economic Development at 410-638-3059.
Demonstrating Partnership and Sustainability:
Demonstrating a partnership for program planning and implementation is seen as a strategy toward sustainability. Be sure to include partnerships and sustainability methods as part of your business plan.
GrantWatch ID#: 153850
Funding is available beginning July 1, 2018.
Activities must be accomplished during a 12-month period.
Eligibility and Qualifications of Applicants:
-501(c)3 or 501(c) 6 nonprofit organizations in good standing with the State of Maryland.
-Organizations that do not require participation in non-secular activities as a condition for receiving program services.
-Independent annual audit or financial summary/audit statement for fiscal year 2016, signed by a professional accountant or your organization's fiscal officer.
-Program or operation must primarily serve a tourism-related function.
-Applicant organizations must be soundly managed and financially accountable and provide proof thereof including a business plan for program requested.
-Applicant organizations must hold their activities in spaces accessible to the disabled. Also, activities must be altered to meet the needs of the visually and hearing impaired upon appropriate notification of need.
-Applicants are prohibited from using funding to promote or further non-secular purposes.
Ineligible Funding Items:
-Property Acquisition
-Capital Building Projects
-Equipment – such as computers, copiers, etc. that would be used for daily office functions. (Note: equipment specific to a program need may be considered).
-Retirement or reduction of debt.
All applicants for fiscal year 2019 funding are encouraged to attend the following workshop:
-Tuesday, March 6, 5:30 - 6:30 PM at the OED office at 2021 Pulaski Highway, Suite D, Havre de Grace, MD 21078
The application deadline is Friday, April 13, 2018 at 5:00 PM. Mailed applications must be received by this date. Postmarked submissions will not be accepted.
The Tourism Activity Review Committee will meet and make its recommendations for funding in April 2018. Organizations will be notified by mail in late May or early June 2018 as to the disposition of the application after final selection by the County Executive and upon approval by the Harford County Council. If approved for funding, the organization must execute a memorandum of agreement before funds are released via direct deposit.
Timeline:
-January 22, 2018: Tourism Related Competitive Funding Applications available.
-February 8, 2018: Fund Application Workshop
-March 6, 2018: Fund Application Workshop
-April 13, 2018: Deadline for applications
-April 2018: EDAB’s Tourism Activity Review Committee reviews applications and finalizes funding recommendation to put forth to County Executive.
-May 9, 2018: Committee recommendations endorsed by EDAB; submitted to the County Executive.
-May 2018: County Executive forwards to County Council for Approval.
-May 2018: Preliminary Notification to Recipients.
-June 2018: Filing & announcement of funding; memorandum of agreement for awardees prepared and executed.
-July 1, 2018: Beginning of Fiscal Year 2019; funding available.
Before starting your grant application, please review the funding source's website listed below for updates/changes/addendums/conferences/LOIs.
Chris Behles
410-638-3059
cmbehles@harfordcountymd.gov
Eva Hanley
P: 410-638-3059
TTY: 410-638-3086
ehanley@harfordcountymd.gov
Harford County Government
Office of Economic Development
ATTN: EDAB - TARC
2021 Pulaski Highway, Suite D
Havre de Grace, MD 21078
USA: Maryland: Harford County
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