TL Photo/GAGE VOTA Belmont County Tourism Council Executive Director Jackie Pugh speaks to the Belmont County Commission about the newly released Belmont County Tourism Guide.
CLAIRSVILLE, ST. — An additional $100,000 is available for marketing in a 10-county area of Ohio that includes Belmont County.
The $50,000 grant was awarded to the East Central Ohio Association of Governments Tourism Partnership through the Appalachian Governor’s Office, which must provide a $50,000 match. Each of the 10 counties involved in the partnership, including Belmont County, will provide a portion of the matching funds.
According to Jackie Pugh, executive director of the Belmont County Tourism Council, the money will be used to market Omega 10 counties. It’s a two-year grant, with the first year being spent on developing branding and logos, as well as promotional photo and video content. The second year will be to implement the marketing strategy and materials developed in the first year.
“I think this is a big win for our region. Not only will this help us build a stronger brand, but we know people don’t look at county lines when they travel. If we can bring them into the region and tell them what we have to offer, it will be better for us in the long run,” Pugh told county commissioners at their meeting Wednesday.
She said the tourism council had already budgeted its share of matching funds in anticipation of receiving the grant.
“It’s a really small investment for the return we’re getting,” she said. “The money that tourism brings in is truly an economic engine. Home to Belmont County, it helps reduce the tax burden on residents.”
The Belmont County Tourism Council also announced a new visitor guide printed by Great Lakes Publishing.
“This is very editorial and is no longer just a resource directory. It really tells the story of Belmont County. The photos and illustrations really show the best of what we have to offer,” Pugh said. said.
The same publisher that publishes Belmont County tourist guides also publishes Ohio tourist guides. Pugh believes Belmont County received more attention than ever before in state tourism guides this year because publishers learned what Belmont County has to offer.
Kirk’s Homemade Ice Cream, Burnsville Pumpkin Festival, Bark Camp, and Great Stone Beerduct in Bellaire were all featured in this year’s Official Ohio Tourism Guide.
“In the January and February issues, they ran a full-page editorial about our Bigfoot Geo Tour, which is something we can promote for free because now they Because I know the really great things that are being done,” Pugh said in his speech. About the relationship between Belmont County Tourism and Great Lakes Publishing.
One of the statewide promotional activities is the “Ohio Ice Cream Trail.” Kirk’s Homemade Ice Cream in St. Clairsville is one of the stops listed on this year’s trail, which has 54 stops across the state.
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