Commission tightens grant enforcement, plans logo and co-branding work with CVB

Commission members discussed enforcement of grant conditions and branding requirements for projects funded with commission dollars. The commission reiterated that grant applicants must be nonprofit entities (per current guidelines) and that staff will require proof of completed advertising or promotional credit when applicants seek reimbursement.

Commissioners agreed the proper enforcement point is the reimbursement claim: when grantees submit receipts for payment, staff will require supporting evidence (advertising copy, a photo of signage, a flyer, a link or screenshot) showing the commission's credit or logo was used. Staff said the grants application form already contains the language requiring that credit and that the commission will emphasize the requirement and enforce it at the reimbursement stage.

Commissioners discussed practical exceptions (e.g., hard-to-document capital items such as benches) and noted staff can accept photos or plaques as acceptable proof; the commission asked staff to be pragmatic while ensuring accountability. The commission also reiterated an 18-month window for reimbursement requests (applicants must request reimbursement within the time frame stated on the grant form).

Branding: the commission discussed creating a formal logo or a co-branding package to make compliance easier for grantees and to raise public awareness of the commission's role. Commissioners reviewed initial mockups and discussed co-branding with the "Clearly Kosciusko" initiative or the CVB brand so material could be consistent across county promotions. The group agreed to form a small working group (Matt and Mike volunteered) with staff support (Corey and Mike) to develop options and report back in March. A professional quote from a vendor (Split Road) was mentioned as an option to produce finalized files and a QR-code-enabled digital package.

Why it matters: enforcing credit and reporting requirements helps the commission show a return on taxpayer-funded promotions; a clear logo/co-branding package should reduce confusion among grantees and make it easier for organizations to comply.

Next steps: staff will update grant award letters to reiterate the credit and reporting requirement; the newly formed subcommittee will meet with CVB staff to prepare logo and co-branding recommendations for the commission's March meeting.