Grants awarded to help promote tourism events

From summer theater to fluke tournaments, and from decoy shows to vintage auto shows, the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders is getting ready to provide financial support to promote a host of tourism events throughout Ocean County.

“Since 1989, the freeholders have provided municipalities and organizations with matching tourism grants to help promote a host of events and programs throughout the county,” said Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari, who serves as liaison to the Ocean County Tourism Advisory Council. “This year we anticipate awarding 55 grants totaling $57,400.”

Vicari said that annually the tourism industry provides more than 60,000 jobs and generates close to $3 billion in revenues.

Vicari said the grants, which range from $500 to $1,400, also help promote programs that are held in the off-season.

Grants are awarded based on an evaluation system, which look at several criteria including: how the program integrates into the overall county tourism program; applicant’s prior performance; ability of program to attract tourists; quality of the program; scope and size of the program; the creativity of the program, and the incorporation of county tourism information.

Five new applicants expected to be awarded grants this year are:

Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association for the directory of area charter boat fishing captains. This is the first time a grant has been awarded for this type of project, which includes charter boat fishing captains forming a nonprofit business organization to promote the industry.

Ocean County Mayor’s Association for its Ocean County Golf Digest, a popular publication which features course layouts and details.

Pine Shores Art Association, to help promote art in the Southern part of the county.

Robert J. Novins Planetarium at Ocean County College. The college has a planetarium dome equal in size to any other in the state, including the New Jersey State Planetarium and conducts a wide array of programs

Toms River Business Development Corp. to promote the New Jersey State Ice Cream festival, an event that has gained in stature from a local to a statewide event.

The following local towns were among the recipients:

Brick Township was awarded $850 for SummerFest 2005, Lakewood Township Heritage Commission was awarded $550 for its Events Brochure, Plumsted Township was awarded $750 for its Guide and Calendar of Events, and the Vintage Automobile Museum of New Jersey, in Brick, was awarded $950 for Vintage Auto Shows.