(Bucks County, PA) - Visit Bucks County's (VBC) Tourism Grant, instituted in 2008 by the tourism office to assist in the development and enhancement of not-for-profit tourism product in Bucks County, is readying for another around of grant applications.

After seven years of awarding grants that distributed more than $2.3 million in tourism funds, applications for the next round of grants are due by October 1, 2015.

The VBC Tourism Grant is supported from a portion earned from the Bucks County lodging tax. Eligible recipients are limited to non-profits or other entities located in Bucks County and are marketing partners of the tourism office.

Grant funding can be used for website redesigns and enhancements, marketing collateral, capital improvements, tourism product development and more. Past successful uses of grant funding include the creation of the Heritage Conservancy's Barn Voyage! Self-Guided Barn Tour, additional funding for marketing initiatives at Pennsbury Manor and increased advertising funds leading to a 23 percent increase in visitation to Washington Crossing Historic Park.

During the last round of grants in spring 2015, the Tourism Grant Program distributed $219,000 to more than 30 Bucks County not-for-profits.

All deadlines and details regarding the tourism grant application process can be found on Visit Bucks County's website here: http://www.visitbuckscounty.com/grants. Specific questions regarding the grant program can be directed to Visit Bucks County President/COO, Jerry Lepping at JerryL@visitbuckscounty.com.

Contact: Jessica Lawlor
Communications Manager
Visit Bucks County
215 639 0300 x 227
JessicaL@visitbuckscounty.com

About Visit Bucks County

Visit Bucks County (VBC) is the official tourism promotion agency for Bucks County. The tourism office, with more than 450 tourism/hospitality partners throughout Bucks County, promotes all there is to see and do to potential visitors and residents. In addition to consumer travel, Visit Bucks County targets sports tournaments, motorcoach groups, meetings, special events and weddings. For more information on VBC activities call 1-800-836-BUCKS, visit VisitBucksCounty.com or stop by the Bucks County Visitor Center located at 3207 Street Road in Bensalem (adjacent to the entrance to PARX Casino). The Visitor Center is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. It is easily accessible from the Pennsylvania Turnpike, Route 1 and Interstate 95.