Recipients announced for 2023 Westmoreland tourism grants
Dec. 7—Michael Hartung wants more exposure for the Greensburg Volunteer Fire Department Museum, and, by virtue of a grant funded by Westmoreland County's hotel tax, he now has the money to make that happen.
"We're trying to bring in people from the outside. The only people who come are firefighters or families in Greensburg. We want to expand our reach," said Hartung, the curator for the museum behind City Hall that showcases equipment used by firefighters in the early and mid-1800s.
The fire department museum was among the 44 organizations awarded a total of more than $549,000 in grants Monday to promote tourism in the county. Funds come from the county's 5% hotel tax.
About 60% of the hotel tax is allocated to Go Laurel Highlands, the agency that promotes tourism in Westmoreland, Fayette and Somerset counties. Of those funds, about half are allocated to Westmoreland businesses to pay for marketing and capital improvements.
Go Laurel Highlands Executive Director Ann Nemanic said the agency received grant applications from 73 businesses, and most met the criteria set by county leaders.
"The grants need to be used to attract visitors to stay in local hotels and enhance a visitor's experience here and pique their interest for a return visit," Nemanic said.
Grant applications that sought funds for items such as office supplies or marketing to county residents were rejected, she said.
"Brand-new businesses won't be funded in the first year. We want to make sure it is sustainable," Nemanic said.
Since the program was created in 2003, the county has distributed nearly $7 million from hotel tax revenue to 838 businesses or organizations, according to the visitors bureau.
About $550,000 in grants was handed out last year from tax revenue collected during the height of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 and 2021. The county awarded $383,000 in grants in 2019, the last year before pandemic. The grants this year were funded by tax revenue generated in 2022.
"The last few years have really been a challenge for everyone in this room," said Commissioner Doug Chew, acknowledging that hotel occupancy rates increased by 21% over the past year as restrictions eased following coronavirus-related shutdowns. "It is you who have have funded these awards. You make living here enjoyable every single day."
Grants doled out Monday ranged from $400 awarded to the Courtyard by Marriott in Hempfield to $25,000 given to organizations such as Fort Ligonier Days, Latshaw Productions in Trafford and The Westmoreland Museum of American Art in Greensburg.
Six organizations were first-time grant recipients, including Keystone Raceway in Derry Township, which received $10,000 to install additional seating and an upgraded sound system at the 300-acre racing facility.
Greg Miller, track president, said the money will allow the business to add up to 2,500 seats to bring the raceway's crowd capacity to about 10,000.
"We're in the running for a national televised event in 2023, and 2024 we think will attract about 40,000 for a four-day event," Miller said.
Shawn Hresko and his father, Mark Brown, operate Hemlock Lane Designs in Donegal, a first-time grant recipient. Their custom woodworking business will use the $3,896 to lure customers from throughout the U.S. to their tiny shop and showroom.
"We're seeing our clients coming from Florida, South Carolina and West Virginia," Brown said.
His son added, "(The grant) helps us get our names out in an area that people travel through but not travel to stay."
In addition to the tourism grants, Westmoreland leaders control another 40% of the hotel tax revenue generated annually. Commissioners allocated $1.3 million in early 2022 to help pay for upgrades at the county parks, a countywide marketing plan,the annual four-day Westmoreland Arts and Heritage Festival at Twin Lakes Park and the air show at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport.
Rich Cholodofsky is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Rich by email at rcholodofsky@triblive.com or via Twitter .
