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Dare County approves $1.79 million in tourism impact grants; OBX Jeep Invasion highlights $196,000 in community donations

Dare County Board of Commissioners · December 1, 2025
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Summary

The board unanimously approved tourism impact grant awards totaling $1,790,068.06 and heard from OBX Jeep Invasion organizers about cumulative charitable donations (about $196,000) and a $10,000 contribution to Wounded Warriors in Action for the 2026 event.

Lee (tourism presenter) told the board the tourism board had received 12 applications grouped into safety and pathways and recommended awards totaling $1,790,068.06 from the tourism impact restricted fund. The program is a tiered, reimbursement-based match for programs and services tied to tourism impacts.

Commissioners asked detailed questions about a large multiuse-path application (roughly $3.75 million requested in matching funds for a corridor across Jockey's Ridge/Highway 158) and about maintenance needs when sand moves across paths. Lee said the grants review the need and leave engineering and maintenance plans to the applicant and their engineers.

Vice Chairman Steve House presented the OBX Jeep Invasion’s community work, saying that over five years the event has contributed about $196,000 to local charities and that this year’s beneficiaries include Hearts of Hope (toys) and Room at the Inn. House also announced forthcoming donations to local police and rescue units and introduced Tim Spence of Wounded Warriors in Action, who outlined how donor funds cover airfare, transportation, insurance and administrative costs to bring veteran participants to a multi-day event in January 2026.

The board moved to approve the recommended tourism impact grant awards and the motion carried unanimously.