Miami County Tourism Grant Program

The Miami County Visitors & Convention Bureau, or MCVCB, administers the Miami County Tourism Grant Program in support of its mission to promote and support Miami County as a leading travel destination that contributes to a thriving economy, vibrant quality of life, and strong community pride. The program is intended to help develop or strengthen destination assets and visitor experiences in Miami County, drive visitation and overnight stays, increase visitor spending, enhance local livability, encourage collaboration within Miami County and the region, and assist organizations seeking financial support for new or improved projects that align with the MCVCB mission. The program provides up to $5,000 for an individual project, event, or program. Eligible activities must be tourism-related, enhance Miami County's image as a visitor or group destination, strengthen the visitor and resident experience within the county, increase the potential for visitation from outside the area, and demonstrate a measurable community or economic benefit. Allowable uses include new or expanded projects or events that elevate the visitor experience, photography and videography, community wayfinding signage or placemaking, enhancements to visitor attractions and museums, marketing and promotional opportunities, and other projects approved by the MCVCB Grant Committee. Funding may not be used for administrative, clerical, personnel, or office equipment or furniture costs. MCVCB tourism grant dollars may not represent more than 50 percent of total project or event costs. The remaining 50 percent may come from other grants and in-kind donations. Priority is given to first-time projects and projects that promote out-of-county visitation and have more than a local impact. No more than one grant application may be submitted by an organization in a calendar year. Applicants must also recognize MCVCB in project-related brochures, advertisements, press releases, and other applicable promotional materials, and awarded organizations must include a hyperlink to the MCVCB website. Anyone involved in tourism-related activity in Miami County may apply, subject to the program guidelines. MCVCB evaluates applications using factors that include the type and scope of the applying organization, the organization's resources, the impact and priority of the proposed project, the project timeline, other funding sources and support, whether a marketing plan is associated with the project, whether the project capitalizes on off-peak or shoulder seasons, the project's ability to increase and track overnight stays and visitor revenue in Miami County, the number of applications received, and the amount of grant funding requested. Only fully complete applications are considered, and MCVCB retains sole and final approval over awards. An award may be less than the requested amount depending on available grant funds, the number of applications received, and the information submitted. The application requests the project name, applying organization, contact information, planned completion date, requested grant amount, total project budget, and geographic reach of the project. Applicants must explain the purpose of the request and proposed use of funds; identify goals and explain how the project will enhance the visitor experience and residents' quality of life; estimate lodging room nights and or day-trip visitors and describe how those results will be tracked; and explain the marketing plan. Applications must be complete and may be typed or printed clearly, with additional pages attached if necessary. Applications may be mailed to Miami County Visitors & Convention Bureau, 405 SW Public Square, Suite 272, Troy, Ohio 45373, or emailed to Leiann Stewart at lstewart@homegrowngreat.com. Applications are currently being accepted, and the application deadline is September 18, 2026. Grant recipients are scheduled to be notified by October 16, 2026. All awarded funds must be used by December 31, 2027. Approved funds are paid directly to the grant recipient rather than to vendors, and MCVCB must be notified if approved project plans change. Awardees must follow MCVCB brand guidelines, recognize MCVCB as a funding source on marketing materials and social media, link to www.homegrowngreat.com from their website, and provide high-resolution images and or videos for promotional use. A final grant report is due within 60 days after completion of the project, event, or program and must address accomplishments, challenges, impact, use of funds, visitation and visitor-spending effects, and proof of completion, with supporting materials such as marketing collateral, photographs, media coverage, social media engagement, and invoices. The source does not state that the opportunity recurs annually or on another fixed schedule.

Prioritize a complete application for a first-time or expanded tourism project that can attract out-of-county visitors and demonstrate more than a local impact. Clearly quantify community or economic benefit, describe a concrete marketing plan, explain how overnight stays and visitor revenue will be tracked, identify other funding or in-kind support, and show whether the project can increase visitation during off-peak or shoulder seasons.