Jefferson County tourism board approves grants to local events, asks recipients to report economic impact

The Jefferson County Board of Tourism on March 24 approved a series of grant awards to local festivals and cultural organizations, directing recipients to submit invoices for payment and to work with VMI to document economic impact.

Commissioner David Bramer, who led the awards discussion, told recipients, “You need to send me an email with an invoice. My email is on the county website. Don't send it to the auditors.” He said checks will be processed after a commissioner meeting and can be mailed or picked up at the auditor’s office.

The board reviewed 28 applications and said it prioritized funding for tangible, shareable assets — such as equipment or infrastructure that multiple events can use — and for requests with specific, itemized asks rather than general marketing line items. Bramer said the board wants recipients to return with outcomes and metrics so the tourism board can evaluate its return on investment.

Awards listed at the meeting included: Salvation Army Poker Run, $2,000; Juneteenth celebration, $2,500; Radio Theater, $3,000; Eutherian College, $4,000; Madison Main Street wayfinding maps, $4,000 (the board said Madison Main Street and the city must partner on signage); Riverfront Poker Run, $5,000; Riverfest, $10,000; Chautauqua, $10,000; Nights Before Christmas, $10,000; bicentennial restrooms (infrastructure), $15,000; Casa car show (first year), $18,000; visitor profile (carryover), $7,500 (committed previously); Kindred Folks Society, $7,000; Main Street Farmers Market, $10,000; Jefferson County Historical Society, $12,000 (board encouraged returning in August for additional consideration); Regatta, $10,000; HMI, $11,000 (asked to consider returning in August); Mad Hop, $15,000; trolley commitment, $75,000; Madison traffic control / resident protections, $25,000; Madison rodeo, $12,000; Madison Music Movement, $22,000 (board encouraged more buskers and asked them to consider returning in August); Madison Area Arts Alliance, $40,000 (encouraged to return in August); Unbroken Circle (first year), $30,000; Friends of the Ohio (Ohio Theatre), $50,000.

Board members said several applicants may be invited to request additional funds in August after providing usage and impact data; for other applicants the board recommended returning with more specific, itemized asks, particularly for marketing requests. Bramer and other members urged applicants to consult VMI (Andrew Forrester and Sarah Purcell were named as contacts) to coordinate marketing and to aggregate promotional buys when appropriate.

Treasurer David Bramler presented two claims the board will process: a VMI quarterly claim for $87,880 and a marketing claim for $16,985.41; he also reported February innkeeper receipts of $55,780.20 to the tourism account.

The board told recipients that to apply for future rounds they must report on how grant funds were used and the economic outcomes; staff and board members said they will expect follow-up presentations and data from VMI to assess return on investment.

Votes at a glance

- Grant awards as listed above: approved (vote tally not specified in the transcript). Note: the meeting transcript records the board selecting and committing funds to these recipients but does not record a formal roll-call tally for each item.

Where it matters

Board leaders said funding decisions aim to support year-round events, invest in shared infrastructure, and grow overnight stays and local business revenue. The board repeatedly emphasized specificity in future grant requests and asked recipients to coordinate marketing and measurement with VMI.

For recipients

Commissioner David Bramer asked applicants to email invoices to his address on the county website for payment processing; recipients were told checks will be written after a commissioner meeting and they may request direct deposit or pick up checks at the auditor’s office.