Photo Provided Belmont County Tourism Council awards a check to Kara Erwin, East regional director of The ARC of Ohio, as part of the 2024 Grant Assistance Program.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Local nonprofits with the greatest potential for positive economic impact on overnight tourism will receive funding from Belmont County Tourism through its 2025 Grant Assistance Program.

“The GAP grant is really an amazing opportunity for nonprofits to be able to access funding at a local level and from the tourism office to be able to help these small community events that may not get this couple thousand dollars funding here and there,” tourism Executive Director Jackee Pugh said. “It really is an opportunity for them to enhance their event, which in turn enhances tourism for Belmont County. So it’s a win-win for both their organization and ours to be able to support things like this.”

The GAP grants help “fill the gap” by assisting nonprofit organizations with events, projects, improvements or maintenance to a tourist attraction, event or historic site that enhances travel and tourism in Belmont County.

Any nonprofit in Belmont County is eligible to apply, but the tourism council board gives priority to organizations or events that really bring in overnight tourists, according to Pugh.

Nonprofits can complete the GAP grant applications starting today. They will be mailed to past award recipients, or organizations can apply at visitbelmontcounty.com. Applications can also be picked up in the tourism office at the Ohio Valley Mall, St. Clairsville.

Organizations can return them to the Belmont County Tourism Council by mail at 67800 Mall Ring Road, Unit 485, St. Clairsville, OH 43950 or by email at jpugh@visitbelmontcounty.com. The application deadline is March 5.

The grants will be awarded in March, and checks will be issued by March 31.

Pugh said the Great Stone Viaduct Historical Education Society is an example of a nonprofit that could have high potential to receive funding because its efforts and the restored viaduct bring in people interested in architecture and rail history from all over the country. She added that people who come into Belmont County might not just see the viaduct, but be able to go to a local restaurant, stay at a local hotel and get to enjoy the other amenities Belmont County has to offer.

Grants are awarded based on available funds and at the discretion of the board of directors. Organizations are only permitted to make one application and receive one award per year. Grant money must be spent for the purpose requested on the application and not used to pay salary, wages or other compensation to any person affiliated with the organization as an officer, trustee or supplier of services employee.

Promotional materials produced for funded events must include the Belmont County Tourism logo. It is not expected the logo is displayed in all materials, but it should be placed on flyers, banners or advertisements.

For more information or questions, call 740-695-4359 or email jpugh@visitbelmontcounty.com.

“The priority is really given to those that can truly bring tourists into the area, while we do fund other local community events,” Pugh said. “We do just try to justify that economic impact of visitor spending.”