The City of Athens is currently accepting applications for the 2025 Tourism Development Grant, funded by a hotel occupancy tax, which aims to boost tourism and attract overnight guests to Athens.
Projects must be specifically designed to attract overnight visitors to Athens. Tourism Development Grants are available to eligible organizations or events located within the city of Athens.
Eligibility Requirements:
• Tourism Promotion: State law requires that all projects encourage and promote the use of hotels and motels within the city of Athens by enhancing and promoting the tourism, convention and hotel industries.
• Governance: The applicant must be an organization or legal entity governed by a board of directors or similar governance structure.
• Location: The event must take place within the city of Athens.
• Direct Benefit: Applicants must demonstrate that the funding will directly enhance and promote the tourism, convention and hotel industries by attracting visitors from outside Athens.
• Legal entity: The applicant must be a legal entity with the capacity to enter into contracts.
• Public Access: Applicants must demonstrate that their program or event is open to and appropriate for the general public.
• Financial Status: Applicants must demonstrate good financial standing and have financial safeguards in place to protect public funds. Please see the Financial Information section for further details.
The City will accept applications for fiscal year 2025 funding until 5:00 p.m. on Monday, July 22, 2024. Applications should be submitted to the City of Athens, 508 East Tyler Street, Athens, Texas 75751. Each organization must submit one original and two complete copies of the application.
Applications are available at the City Secretary’s Office, 508 East Tyler Street, Athens, Texas 75751. Electronic copies are available on the City of Athens website.
