Applications due Nov. 30 for city grant program

ThisWeek CW 11/18/2015

http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/canalwinchester/news/2015/11/16/applications-due-nov–30-for-city-grant-program.html

Local organizations interested in obtaining what used to be called bed tax grants have until Nov. 30 to submit applications.

The program is now known as transient occupancy tax grants, but still splits awards among Destination: Canal Winchester and organizations that apply and are then selected by Canal Winchester City Council.

The city can distribute as much as about $20,000 each year in revenue derived from hotel and motel taxes collected by the city, which according to Finance Director Amanda Jackson, has never exceeded the originally anticipated $60,000. Historically, Destination: Canal Winchester, which acts as the city’s convention and visitors bureau, is given $30,000 out of the revenue for the purpose of bringing in tourists and driving outside investment in the community. The rest of the funds are then available for disbursement.

The grant program is open to any public agency, nonprofit or private organization located in Canal Winchester which will use the money for projects aimed at enhancing the city for residents and visitors.

For 2015, city council members approved $13,000 in grants to the Canal Winchester Area Historical Society, the National Barber Museum and Hall of Fame, the Canal Winchester After Prom Committee, Canal Winchester Relay For Life, the Canal Winchester Area Chamber of Commerce, the Community Food Pantry, the Canal Winchester Senior Citizens Club and the Rotary Club of Canal Winchester.

In total $18,000 in grants were requested in 2015 with only two organizations being denied funding outright.

According to Jackson, all applications will be competitively reviewed and awards will be made to projects that meet the requirements and the intent of the program, as determined by city council in December.

Jackson said award checks will be drawn in early 2016 and all funds must be used in 2016 or returned to the city.

Grant applications are available at the Municipal Building, 36 S. High St. For more information, call Jackson at 614-837-6937 or email her at ajackson@canalwinchesterohio.gov.