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County recommends $1.25 million in large-event grants; commissioners ask for tighter conditions, accountability
Summary
Hamilton County staff recommended $1.25 million in large-event tourism grants from the 2025 budget to support four events; commissioners asked for contract language tying payments to event milestones, clearer economic-impact numbers and a short-term/long-term plan for large- and small-event funding amid uncertain economic conditions.
Hamilton County administration presented recommended awards from the 2025 large-event grant program on March 11, telling commissioners staff received seven applications requesting more than $6 million and recommending four applicants to receive portions of the $1,250,000 budget the board set aside in the 2025 budget.
Holly, an administration staff member who led the presentation, said reductions were made because requests exceeded the available budget. Recommended awards listed in the presentation were: America’s River Routes — recommended $350,000 (requested by staff as $950,000 in the application); Cincinnati Music Festival — recommended $475,000 (requested amount not specified in the transcript); Flying Pig Marathon (PigWorks) — recommended $175,000 (requested $410,000); and A Lightship Foundation for Black Tech Week — recommended $250,000 (requested $276,500). Three applicants were not recommended primarily because they did not provide verifiable documentation of economic impact.
Commissioners focused on several governance issues before a Thursday vote was scheduled: consistency between grant agreements and expected outcomes; whether partially funded applicants would still stage events; protections that would allow the county to reallocate funds if events do not proceed; and stronger links between grant awards and measurable economic outcomes such as hotel room nights and sales tax. County Administrator Jeff Aludo said staff would report back to the commissioners with a short-term and a long-term plan for grant rules and execution.
Commissioner Stephanie Summer O’Dumas said she opposed allocating the $1.25 million from the general fund at this time because of economic uncertainty and competing needs for social services, and said she planned to vote against the Thursday resolution. Commissioner Alicia Reese and other commissioners argued that large tourism events generate sales and hotel-motel tax revenues that support county services and said past events have produced measurable returns; Reese said she would support the grants provided clarifying information about room-night counts and that funds could be recaptured if events do not proceed.
Susan Fisher, executive director of River Roots, said River Roots had been in discussions with production partners and expected to move forward; commissioners asked staff to confirm partner contracts and procurement details before final approval. Commissioners also requested language similar to ARPA-style recapture terms so the county could reassign funds if events fail to materialize.
Ending: County staff said they will provide written follow-up with recommended contract language, updated economic-impact details, and short-term and long-term policy options before the board’s Thursday vote.
