Centre County organizations ‘rising to the challenge’ of preparing for visitors get financial boost
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused Centre County attractions to get creative when planning for the upcoming year, and the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau had to follow suit with its first round of tourism grants.
In a socially-distanced news conference Thursday, the HVAB and county board of commissioners announced some recipients of the 2020-21 Tourism Grant, which is funded by the Centre County lodging tax. Due to the pandemic’s financial toll on lodging tax revenues, grant awards will be announced in two rounds this year.
After receiving 61 requests from 56 applicants — the highest number of applicants since the grant’s creation — 44 organizations were awarded $387,300 to use for projects or advertising to help draw visitors to the area.
“It goes without saying that this has been an across-the-board challenging year for the HVAB and its members,” HVAB President and CEO Fritz Smith said, addressing a masked audience of about 20. “The shutdown, combined with the cancellation of major events and the still uncertain future of others, has significantly impacted our lodging industry and with it, vital tourism promotion revenue streams.”
With staple spring and summer events canceled due to the pandemic, Smith said the committee wanted to get “some funds” into the community sooner to ensure visitors will be able to come to Centre County once restrictions are eased.
“The only constant in life is change ... but change is good, and we adapt,” Smith said.
Of the 44 community organizations to receive funds, there were 16 new applicants or those returning after at least a year’s absence. HVAB Board of Directors Chairman Edward Tubbs said each recipient represents projects of “all sizes and scopes” from every corner of the county.
Four first-time awardees were recognized during Thursday’s ceremony — the State College Borough for the Martin Luther King. Jr. Plaza, Centre County Farmland Trust, Moshannon Valley Veterans Memorial and the Crooked House.
Each project aims to give visitors a reason to travel throughout Centre County and learn about its history. While COVID-19 dampened plans to hold events this summer, each representative said they are eager to welcome residents and newcomers to their attractions soon. And the funds will help further movement and progress on each initiative.
“Since the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza opened in 2017 in downtown State College, it has been the host to many community events that have inspired and educated our community on diversity, equity and inclusion,” State College Borough Manager Douglas Shontz said. “The plaza has truly lived up to its mission in keeping Dr. King’s legacy alive in State College.”
Shontz said the borough plans to use its $1,000 grant to create a 360-interaction digital tour to highlight the plaza’s features and give others a chance to visit “from the comfort of their home.”
The Centre County Farmland Trust plans to use its $5,000 in funds to create mini-tours to help showcase agritourism initiatives, Jennifer Shuey, president of the CCFT board of directors, said.
“We will be highlighting self-guided and drive-able farm routes around the county to showcase just some of our beautiful and productive farms, delicious farm-to-table eateries and bountiful farmers markets and more,” she said.
The memorial organizers plan to use its $1,000 allocation to purchase signage to raise awareness about the Philipsburg memorial to visitors, and the Crooked House, a sculpture in Milesburg, aims to provide a “home” outside of the State College.
Other recipients included the Bellefonte Art Museum, The State Theatre, Centre Bike, Penn State, the Rowland Theatre, the Rivet at Discovery Space and more. An additional 10 applicants will be considered for funding in November, Smith said.
Staple events like Central Pennsylvania 4th Fest and the Centre County Grange Encampment and Fair also received funds, despite events in-person events being canceled this summer.
Since 2002, the grant program has provided more than $5.5 million to nonprofits and private sector entities in Centre County.
With a 92% decline in funds for April, Smith said the county hotel tax has generated just under $4 million in funds this year.
But Smith and commissioners said with a variety of outdoor attractions currently open for the summer and a number of entities adjusting amid the pandemic, they are confident Centre County will recover financially and socially.
“We have 100% confidence that the nonprofits and organizations that have been a fabric of the tourism community in Centre County will rise to the challenge and are rising to the challenge,” Commissioner Michael Pipe said. “We do not know how long this pandemic will last, but the love we have for Centre County, there’s nothing that can take that away.”
This story was originally published June 25, 2020 at 4:38 PM.
