Overview
The Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (the Chamber), located at 214 N Franklin Street, Watkins Glen, Schuyler County, New York, is designated by the Schuyler County legislature as its Tourism Promotion Agency (TPA) to represent Schuyler County and provide tourism promotion under the New York State Tourism Promotion Act.
The Chamber’s mission is to advance economic success and enhance quality of life through promoting the beauty of the Finger Lakes and supporting the Watkins Glen Area community through education, leadership, and collaborations. In so doing, the Chamber manages the administration of Schuyler County’s Tourism Assistance Program whose purpose is to encourage new entrepreneurial endeavors and groups that promote our destination to tourists and enhances the local economy. The source of funding is a portion of the County’s Lodging receipts, and taxes collected on overnight stays within the County.
Application Periods
The program will be open for applications during two separate application periods:
Period I: December 15 – February 15, 2025 Decision date: April 1, 2025
Period II: March 15 – May 15, 2025 Decision date: July 1, 2025
The Period I application process opens on December 15, 2024, and closes at 5:00 pm on February 15, 2025. Applications received after February 15, 2025, will be considered for funding during the next application period.
Applicants for funding will be required to file an application submitted to the Chamber. Each recipient’s project must meet the eligibility requirements to be considered for funding. Each applicant must provide matching resources of their own toward their request, demonstrating financial support and completion of the project in its entirety through funding from the Chamber.
Application Eligibility Requirements
This may include covering expenses such as advertising, signage, website development, performances, event planning, and ways to take the idea/project to the next level and reach new audiences.
- Provide a specific grant request between $1000 - $10,000
- Eligibility includes non-profit and for-profit organizations
- Copy of New York State Certificate of Non-Profit Incorporation and/or Federal 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) letter (if applicable)
- Must include the likelihood of increased visitation, improved visitor experience, or visitors increasing their length of stay.
- Must demonstrate a direct impact on tourism promotion in Schuyler County, NY.
- Must be in Schuyler County, NY, or directly service Schuyler County, NY.
- Must not be in competition with the Chamber and its mission.
- Intention of program should increase tourism in Schuyler County.
- Capital improvements are not eligible.
Approved Tourism programs should:
- Be new or enhanced events that are non-duplicative, unique, and demonstrate appeal to visitors outside of Schuyler County
- Be new or enhanced marketing activities aimed at stimulating overnight visits to Schuyler County, preferably off-season
- Increase overnight stays at local lodging establishments
- Generate economic benefit through overnight lodging, sales of meals and goods
- Increase recognition of Schuyler County as a tourism destination
- Increase opportunities for tourism by developing new visitor activities
Accountability
- If awarded, organizations are required to submit a detailed progress report on the activities and marketing plan results to the Chamber.
- The final report must include copies of invoices associated with each line item and copies of cleared checks showing proof of advance payment invoices.
- Reports are due 30 days after the end of the activity leading up to the culmination of the project in order to process the tourism grant reimbursement.