ESD: $12 million in Market NY tourism grants available in round V of Regional Economic Development Councils

Empire State Development has announced that up to $12 million in Market NY grants, to fund projects that will increase tourism and create job opportunities, are available to businesses, municipalities, not-for-profits and other entities through round V of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's Regional Economic Development Council initiative.

This latest round of Market NY grants, which includes capital grants for tourism facilities, will be awarded to tourism and marketing projects that advance each region's strategic plan and will help to boost tourism in the region and New York.

"Initiatives like the Regional Economic Development Councils and Market NY have been helping communities across the state invest in and expand their unique tourism assets at a grass roots level," said Gavin Landry, executive director of ESD's division of tourism. "Thanks in part to the success of these regional programs, along with statewide promotions such as 'Path Through History,' 'Taste NY' and 'I Love NY' campaigns, the state has experienced a 15 percent increase in direct traveler spending since 2010. One of our key goals is to continue to enhance and promote the state's unique regional assets. With that in mind, we encourage every tourism-related business and organization to consider ways in which they can leverage our resources to contribute to a more successful and prosperous future for their region and for New York state."

In order to apply for Market NY grant funds, a consolidated funding application must be completed and submitted by 4 p.m. July 31. The CFA, created as part of Cuomo's plan to foster economic growth, streamlines the application process, eliminating the need for applicants to navigate multiple agencies and funding sources.

Market NY round V funding will be awarded in two separate tracks with different requirements:

•Regional tourism marketing (up to $5 million)

•Tourism facility funding (up to $7 million)

Applicants with regional tourism projects that include both marketing and capital elements can apply for both tracks. Applicants should demonstrate how a project will work to promote and advance the tourism goals of the Regional Council's strategic plan. Each project will be scored and funding will be allocated to eligible top-scoring projects.

Additional information on the Market NY Tourism grant program can be found at the following sites:

•For Regional Council strategic plan information, visit http://regionalcouncils.ny.gov/.

•For 2015 Market NY guidelines, including scoring criteria, click here.

•For the 2015 CFA application, visit https://apps.cio.ny.gov/apps/cfa/.

•For more information about "I Love New York," visit www.iloveny.com.

For answers to specific question and more information, email the New York State Division of Tourism staff at [email protected].

For more information on the Regional Councils, visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov.