Politics & Government
Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Authority to Receive Almost $75,000 in Grant Money
It's one of 14 Destination and Marketing Organization Grants issued on Monday, Oct. 1.
The Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Authority will receive $74,835 in grant money as part of the state's effort to reinvigorate the tourism industry, Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno announced on Monday, Oct. 1.
It's one of 14 Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) grants totaling more than $1.3 million across the state, Guadagno announced. DMOs are designed for entertainment venues, restaurants, retail outlets, and hotels, and help promote a municipality or region’s historical, cultural, and artistic attractions, according to Guadagno.
“Tourism is one of New Jersey’s largest and most popular industries, generating $38 billion in economic activity and 312,000 jobs,” said Guadagno, who oversees the Division of Travel and Tourism as Secretary of State. “These grants are an important and proven ingredient to successfully promote the unique historical, cultural, and natural attractions that exist in every corner of our state.”
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Independent panels with granting, marketing, and tourism experience review each grant, Guadagno said. The Convention and Visitors Authority, along with the other recipients, had to demonstrate quality work, a clear plan of how their project will contribute to New Jersey’s tourism industry, and show how their project fits within the Division of Travel and Tourism’s priorities, Guadagno said.
“The Division of Travel and Tourism awards these grants to Destination Marketing Organizations to provide critical promotional services in their respective geographic areas as premier tourist destinations. This program is a very exciting collaboration and is paramount to growth and the success of travel and tourism in New Jersey,” Division of Travel and Tourism Executive Director Grace Hanlon said. “Destination Marketing Organizations not only maximize every dollar spent, but also present and highlight a town, city or region’s unique historical, cultural and artistic diversity. DMOs also partner with entertainment venues, restaurants, retail and a wide variety of accommodations for maximum tourism and visitor exposure.”
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Each recipient will use their grant in a different way, and all recipients and how much they received are listed below:
Meadowlands Liberty Convention and Visitors Bureau, Rutherford: $150,000
Southern Shore Regional Tourism, Cape May Courthouse: $141,000
Southern Ocean County Chamber, Ship Bottom: $141,000
Morris County Tourism Bureau, Morristown: $141,000
Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitor Bureau, Princeton: $123,000
Jersey City Economic Development Corporation, Jersey City: $114,000
Shore Region Tourism Council, Neptune: $111,000
South Jersey Tourism Corp., Sewell: $ 36,072
Somerset County Business Partnership, Bridgewater: $108,000
Sussex County Chamber of Commerce, Newton: $102,000
Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs, Jersey City: $ 3,551
Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce, Flemington: $ 33,000
Central New Jersey Convention & Visitors Bureau Middlesex County Regional Chamber, New Jersey: $36,000
Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority, Atlantic City: $74,835
For more information on these destinations and assistance when planning a New Jersey vacation, day trip, or weekend getaway – including travel deals, additional itinerary ideas, finding accommodations and ordering brochures – go to www.visitnj.org.
