Eastern Regional Tourism District selects six recipients for marketing grant

Business

MYSTIC, CONN., FEB. 10, 2022 - The Eastern Regional Tourism District (ERTD) has chosen six recipients to receive grants to market initiatives in support of eastern Connecticut’s tourism economy.
Those selected are: Mystic River Heritage Foundation; The Last Green Valley; the City of New London; Thames River Heritage Foundation; Putnam Business Association and Think Mystic partnership.
Mystic River Heritage Foundation will receive $10,000 and the rest will receive $8,000 each. A total of $50,000 has been allocated to fund these marketing programs.
“The Eastern Regional Tourism District is pleased that we are able to help organizations, that otherwise may not have the money, to market their venues for visitors to find and enjoy,” said Jim Bellano, Chairman of the District. “These six entities have put together plans that align with our 2022 plans to market the amazing tourism experiences here in eastern Connecticut.”
The ERTD Marketing Committee reviewed, interviewed, and deliberated on 10 applicants for the Regional Marketing Partnership Grant Program for the fiscal year 2022, ultimately whittling the number of applications to these six recipients.
Eastern Connecticut businesses, non-profits, and municipalities were encouraged to develop and submit marketing proposals for matching grant funding.
“This matching grant program leverages our public tax dollars for greater private sector investment, which provides for a stronger tourism marketing campaign for the region,” said Chris Regan, the chairman of the ERTD marketing committee. “This is a win-win for the promotion of our extraordinary tourism product and increased visitation of our venues.’’
Eligibility for funding includes:

  • Marketing program applicants must be located within the 41-town Eastern Regional Tourism District.
  • Programs must represent a region, theme, or other clusters of businesses or towns.
  • Programs should support the existing tourism brand identity of “Mystic Country.”
  • Marketing plans must be compatible with ERTD and the Connecticut Office of Tourism initiatives and objectives.
  • Programs and messaging must be approved by the ERTD Marketing Committee.
Upon completion of this program, awardees must submit a final report to the ERTD documenting the use of grant funds.
 
About Connecticut Eastern Regional Tourism District
Provides visitor and meeting information for 41 cities and towns for the eastern region of Connecticut. The mission of the Eastern Regional Tourism District is to stimulate and support the growth of eastern Connecticut’s tourism economy by providing marketing, grant, and collaboration opportunities for the region’s municipalities and tourism venues throughout Eastern Connecticut and Mystic Country. For a full list of represented towns and more information, visit https://www.ctvisit.com/listings/eastern-regional-tourism-district.
 

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