Tompkins County approves $15,000 America250 grant to support local bicentennial events

The Tompkins County Government Operations Committee on April 14 voted unanimously to approve allocation of a $15,000 America250 grant from the New York State Department of Education to support local activities tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Communications staff described a distribution plan that directs portions of the grant to three rural community celebrations, to a project in the city of Ithaca managed by the county historian and historic commission, and to promotion via a centralized events calendar and an amended contract with the Convention & Visitors Bureau. The three rural events will also draw on room-tax (hotel occupancy tax) revenue and the county’s tourism grants program.

Nick Helmhold, the county’s tourism program director, said the tourism office will handle the grant disbursement and any contract amendments with the Convention & Visitors Bureau. The allocation was moved by Adam Vincent, seconded by Dan Wakeakeman, and approved by roll call (Randy Brown: yes; Judith Hubard: yes; Adam Vincent: yes; Dan Wakeakeman: yes).

Next steps: The tourism office will implement the grant distribution through existing tourism grant processes and process any necessary amendments to the CVB contract. The committee recorded that routine grant oversight and contract procedures will apply.