UNIONTOWN, Pa., (Feb. 3, 2020) – Twenty-seven Fayette County tourism-related businesses and organizations were awarded a combined total of $470,558 during a presentation today at the State Theatre Center for the Arts. Forty-three applications were submitted for this year’s program.

The Annual Tourism Grant Program is funded by 50 percent of the revenues generated by the Fayette County Hotel Room Tax, a three percent tax that became effective in 2008. Awards are granted annually on the basis of merit as determined by the Grant Review Committee and administered by the Fayette County Commissioners and the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau (LHVB). Since the program’s inception, more than $5.1 million has been awarded in tourism grants. A complete list of grant recipients and their projects can be viewed online at laurelhighlands.org/grants.

“Fayette County continues positive growth in tourism engagement,” said Ann Nemanic, Executive Director, LHVB. “This year’s reinvestment of more than $470,000 demonstrates the county’s strategic investment in their product. I applaud the county’s leaders’ keen recognition of tourism as an economic driver. The Fayette County Commissioners have a vision, and I am delighted tourism is an integral part of the county’s future.”

The Fayette County Tourism Grant Review Committee was comprised of Dawn Rice, Community Engagement, Outreach and Recruitment, Nemacolin Woodlands Resort; Tammy Stemson, McMillan Engineering; Warren Hughes, Fayette County resident; Sean Sypolt, Vice President of Business Services, Private Industry Council; and Ann Nemanic, Executive Director, LHVB.

About Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands
A magnificent mountainous region, the Laurel Highlands spans 3,000 square miles in southwestern Pennsylvania. Located an hour east of Pittsburgh, the beautiful four-season destination offers spectacular natural scenery, outstanding outdoor recreation, historic sites and attractions, family activities and world-class resorts. Notable destinations within the region include four architectural masterpieces by Frank Lloyd Wright – Fallingwater®, Kentuck Knob, Mäntylä and Duncan House – Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Flight 93 National Memorial, Idlewild and Soak Zone, whitewater rafting at Ohiopyle State Park and more.

Located within 200 miles of the major metropolitan areas of Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Cleveland and Washington D.C., the Laurel Highlands can be easily accessed from exits 67, 75, 91 and 110 of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

Visitors to the Laurel Highlands can find information online at www.LaurelHighlands.org, calling 724.238.5661, www.facebook.com/laurelhighlandsPA and www.twitter.com/laurelhighlands. Established in 1958, the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing organization for Fayette, Somerset and Westmoreland counties in southwestern Pennsylvania.

###