County tourism grants to aid 62 organizations in ’04

The Ocean County Tourism Advisory Council recently presented its 2004 list of promotional grants to the Ocean County Board of Free-holders.

The council is recommending that promotional grants totaling $54,900 be awarded to 62 nonprofit organizations or government agencies in support of tourism throughout the county.

"I like to think of this as a rite of spring," said Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari, liaison to the Tourism Advisory Council. "These grants represent a long-standing commitment by this board to a very important industry in this county."

Grants ranged from $500 to $1,050 and will help promote a diverse range of events, including fishing tournaments, community fairs and free outdoor concerts.

Also included are such Ocean County staples as the annual Toms River Halloween Parade, the Seaside Heights Clownfest and the New Year’s Eve First Night celebration.

"Looking at this list shows the diversity of events that both residents and visitors can enjoy in the coming months," said Linda Stefanik, chairwoman of the tourism council. "There’s something for everyone."

And the activities don’t stop when the summer ends. Events are scheduled through the December holiday season, she said.

Vicari said the investment made by the freeholders is repaid many times over.

"The tourism industry provides more than 60,000 jobs annually and generates an estimated $2 billion in revenues," Vicari said. "These grants help not only the nonprofit agencies, but Ocean County’s entire economy."

Grant money may be used for promotions, ranging from printing and advertising to television ads, Web page development and promotional T-shirts.

Organizations awarded a grant must include the county seal, county Web site address and toll-free tourism hot line on its promotional items.

"By including this information, every event helps promote all of our other events," Stefanik said.

Grants are based on several criteria, including how the program integrates into the overall county tourism program; applicants’ prior performance; ability of program to attract tourists; quality of the program; scope and size of the program; the creativity of the program, and the incorporation of county tourism information.