The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau (HVAB), in collaboration with the Centre County Commissioners Office, is accepting grant applications for the Tourism Enhancement Grant for the fiscal year running from July 2025 to July 2026. This grant is part of the Centre County Room Tax Grant process and is designed to support cultural, educational, historical, and recreational initiatives that enhance tourism within Centre County. Funding is provided to nonprofit organizations and qualifying entities to increase tourism, overnight stays, and economic development in the region. Grant awards are determined by the Tourism Grant Review Committee (TGRC) and administered by the Centre County Board of Commissioners and HVAB in compliance with Pennsylvania State Regulations (Act 18 of 2016).

The purpose of this grant is to fund initiatives that contribute to the tourism industry by supporting events, projects, and infrastructure improvements that positively impact Centre County’s visitor economy. Eligible projects should demonstrate their ability to attract tourists, generate economic benefits, and strengthen the county’s perception as a desirable destination. The program prioritizes applications that present clear, complete, and innovative proposals, with special consideration given to projects that create demand for accommodations during off-peak periods and introduce new or significantly improved initiatives.

Funding is available to qualifying cultural, educational, historical, recreational, and special event entities that drive tourism-related business to Centre County. Grants may not be used for political or religious purposes, operational expenses, routine maintenance, staff salaries, membership fees, or advertising with organizations outside of Centre County. However, funds may be applied toward tourism enhancement projects, capital infrastructure improvements, and marketing efforts that increase visitor engagement. A 25% match (cash or in-kind) is required for all grants, with eligible contributions including sponsorships, donated services, or other grants. Volunteer hours and staff time do not qualify as in-kind contributions.

Applications open on January 15, 2025, and must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on March 3, 2025. Awarded funds must be used within one year, although recipients may apply for a one-year extension if necessary. Grant recipients are required to provide invoices to request funds and must ensure that awarded funds are utilized in alignment with their approved project scope. A final project report, due no later than October 1, 2026, must include financial documentation, an itemized expense report, and a narrative on the project's impact on the local economy. Organizations must also comply with HVAB’s branding guidelines, including using the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau logo in all promotional materials.

Evaluation criteria include the project's ability to attract visitors, economic impact, alignment with HVAB’s tourism goals, and financial feasibility. Priority is given to organizations with a proven track record of successful tourism initiatives. The TGRC, comprising county officials and industry representatives, reviews all applications and makes funding recommendations, which are then ratified by the HVAB Board of Directors. Applicants are encouraged to work with HVAB’s marketing team to track and assess the performance of their tourism-related efforts.

The grant program operates on an annual cycle, with awards based on the availability of funds. The HVAB reserves the right to withhold funds if applications do not meet required standards or if there are unused funds from the previous fiscal year. Prior recipients must have completed and received approval for their final project reports before applying for new funding, unless granted an extension. The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau and Centre County Board of Commissioners jointly present grant awards to recipients who successfully meet program requirements.