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Putnam County Chamber of Commerce
The Putnam County Chamber of Commerce’s Festival and Event Grant program will open Tuesday to aid organizers who want to bring activities to the county.
There is no limit to the amount of funds that can be requested, Chamber President Dana Jones said, but there are a few guidelines organizers must follow before requesting a grant from the Tourism Development Council.
“It’s basically an ask (from organizers) and then (a) review by council members,” she said.
The event must occur between Oct. 1, 2023, and Sept. 30, 2024.
Council members will be looking for “evidence that the event serves to attract out-of-county visitors generating overnight stays,” how long the event will be, stability and management capability, and whether events are relatively new, according to the grant guidelines.
“Priority consideration will be given to those events well thought out and detailed to show the potential broad awareness of the event in out-of-market media,” the guidelines state.
Events can qualify for consideration if they are open to the public and will impact Putnam County. The application also states event organizers requesting the funds must attend a preparation workshop.
Grant money, if given, can be used for the insurance required for the event, out-of-county promotions, the design and printing of promotional materials made to be published outside of Putnam County and postage costs to mail promotional items outside the county, the document reads.
“You are encouraged to purchase products and services from Putnam County vendors,” the application reads.
The funds cannot be used for prize money, scholarships or awards. They can also not be used for private entertainment, food or beverage services, annual expenditures, travel expenses, or alcoholic beverages, to name a few items from the application.
Jones said tourism in Putnam County continues to grow. The Chamber of Commerce used to be able to fit all of the county’s events on one pamphlet each year, she said, but not anymore.
“It’s amazing to me the number of events that have grown in the last 20 years,” Jones said.
Applications are available through Aug. 29. To download an application, visit visitputnamcountyfl.com or putnamcountychamber.com. People can also visit the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce, 1100 Reid St. in Palatka.
For information, call 386-328-1503.