Staff Photo by Morris Stephenson:
The Franklin County Historical Society received a $300 grant from the board of supervisors for the annual Moonshine Express tour, which promotes the countys liquor-making history. |
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
By CHARLES BOOTHE - Staff Writer
Almost $30,000 in microgrants were awarded by the Franklin County Board of Supervisors Tuesday.
The program is primarily for non-profit organizations, and the grants are used for projects that promote tourism.
The money has already been set aside in this year's budget in the tourism enterprise fund.
Funding for the program is raised through the occupancy or "lodging" tax, which applies to motels and bed and breakfasts in the county.
Requests for funding totaled more than $45,000, but staff recommended to the board that $28,775 be approved.
Below are the organizations receiving money, the event for which funding is earmarked and the amount:
"Warren Street Society, Warren Street Festival -- $1,200.
"Festival in the Pines -- $2,000.
"SWVA Antique Farm Days -- $3,000, antique flea market/swap meet -- $500.
"Smith Mountain Lake Chamber of Commerce, various events -- $3,500.
"Franklin County Historical Society, Ghost Bus Tours -- $300, Moonshine Express -- $300, Music, Cars and More on the Crooked Road -- $500.
"Franklin County Youth Center, fall festival -- $500, spring festival -- $500.
"Blue Ridge Dinner Theater -- $2,500.
"Blue Ridge Garden Tractor Pullers Association, state pull -- $500.
"Blue Ridge Institute & Museum, various events --ﾠ$2,000.
"Community Partnership for Revitalization, Franklin County Christmas -- $1,300, Chug for the Jug -- $1,000, Footlights of the Blue Ridge -- $2,000, Pigg River Ramble -- $1,200, Frank and Stein Poker Run -- $475.
"Cable 12/Gabriel Productions, coverage of various events -- $5,000.
"Free Clinic of Franklin County, Fiddlin' for the Free Clinic --ﾠ$500.
County officials said the purpose of the microgrant program is "to increase the local tourism industry thus creating new jobs, attracting new tourists, spawning new, hospitality-related investments and improving the quality of life for county residents." |
