Southern Pines area CVB sets aside $1 million for One-Time- Project grants for tourism related projects

By Staff Report, posted May 18, 2023 on BizFayetteville.com

The Pinehurst, SouthernPines, Aberdeen Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) has opened applications for a $1 million One-Time Project Fund formed by the CVB.

The OTPF is a grant program open to qualifying Moore County municipalities and non-profits for tourism-related capital projects. The funds originate from the CVB’s fund balance, which totals more than what the organization is legally required to maintain.

“This is the first time in the history of the CVB that we have been able to offer such a grant

program for tourism-related expenditures,” said Phil Werz, president and CEO of the CVB in a press release. “This is a great opportunity for Moore County towns and non-profits to submit their ideas and for our OTPF review committee to consider support for capital projects that fit the grant criteria. We know there are some great ideas out there that will benefit our visitors, and also the residents of Moore County.”

According to grant application requirements, projects to be considered include new construction,

expansion, renovation, or a replacement project for an existing facility or facilities. The project

must have a minimum budget of $50,000. Qualifying grants will be awarded on a competitive

basis, with primary consideration given to applications that focus on the following:

Enhance the destination experience for both visitors and residents
Attract overnight visitors from more than fifty (50) miles outside of Moore County
Shovel-ready projects will be preferred
Project funding is up to a 50/50 match for qualifying applicants
No studies or maintenance projects

The application period began on May 15, and extends through August 18, 2023 and after closing, all applications will be considered by the CVB’s Review Committee. That committee is composed of two current members of the CVB Board of Directors and three independent citizens of Moore County. The committee will score each application and subsequently make award recommendations to the full CVB Board of Directors at a future regularly scheduled meeting. The CVB Board of Directors will provide final approval of any award recommendations from the review committee.

The CVB is in the midst of 25 consecutive months of increased occupancy tax collections which

fund 97 percent of the organization’s annual budget. Last fiscal year, the CVB surpassed $3 million in collections for the first time in its 35-year history. This year, the CVB is on pace for a $3.2 million collections year, which ends on June 30, 2023.

For more information about the One-Time Project Fund (OTPF) and to download an application, go to: www.HomeofGolf.com/OTPF.

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