On Friday, July 11, the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) will open the application period for another $1 million One-Time Project Fund (OTPF).
The OTPF is a grant program open to qualifying Moore County municipalities and federally registered non-profit organizations specifically for tourism-related capital projects. The application period extends through Sept. 12, 2025. The money comes from the CVB’s fund balance and is not associated with the increase of the county’s lodging occupancy tax which will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026.
“The CVB is thrilled that we could once again offer this grant opportunity for Moore County municipalities and federally registered non-profits,” said President and CEO of the CVB Phil Werz in a press release. “The first round funded six local projects totaling more than $800,000. We look forward to seeing new applications that will attract visitors and benefit our residents as well.”
According to grant application requirements, projects may involve new construction, expansion, renovation or a replacement of existing facilities and must meet these criteria:
After the Sept. 12 deadline, the OTPF 2.0 Review Committee will score all submissions and present funding recommendations to the full CVB board in December. Approved awards will be disbursed in the new year.
The initial OTPF (2023) awarded $821,000 to projects including:
Those previous successes helped convince county commissioners to raise the lodging occupancy tax to the state-allowed six percent, doubling the CVB’s annual budget beginning in 2026. The CVB plans to allocate a portion of that new revenue to launch a permanent Tourism Product Development Fund.
For additional details about the One-Time Project Fund (OTPF) and to download an application, go to: www.HomeofGolf.com/OTPF.
Nearly 80 acres of commercial development are now underway in Hope Mills. With Target serving as the anchor tenant, Camden Commons will bring a dynamic mix of retail and commercial opportunities. Land clearing and grading are underway at the site dev
GRAPHIC PROVIDED BY BETTER BUSINESS BUREAUIn the fall of 2025, I was approached to be a judge for the Better Business Bureau’s 2026 award series. Like many of you in the community, I didn’t realize that the BBB had its own awards, and I was excited t
As the director of the FSU HUB, Dr. Tamara Colvin is responsible for strategic and operational leadership to provide impactful support to emerging entrepreneurs and existing small businesses. Photo provided by Colvin.Fayetteville Cumberland Regional
