In a decisive move, the Williams County Board of County Commissioners approved a new tourism grant program for 2025 during their meeting on March 18, 2025. The board allocated $80,000 from the visitor promotion fund, generated through hospitality taxes, to support local tourism initiatives. This marks the fourth year of the program, which aims to enhance tourism through capital project grants and event advertising.

The breakdown of the funding includes $60,000 earmarked for capital projects and $20,000 for events or advertising. Notably, the board introduced a new scoring rubric to streamline the application process, ensuring a more structured evaluation of proposals. This change comes in response to previous discussions about the need for clearer guidelines for both applicants and the review committee.

Commissioners emphasized a shift in focus for this year's applications, prioritizing new or expanded projects over previous applicants. This strategic adjustment aims to encourage fresh ideas and experiences in the tourism sector, while still allowing past applicants to participate with different proposals.

Applications for the grants will open on Thursday at 9 AM, with a submission deadline set for May. The review committee, which includes members from the community and the tourism sector, will present their recommendations to the commission in May.

This proactive approach by the Williams County Board signals a commitment to fostering tourism growth and enhancing the county's appeal as a destination, setting the stage for exciting developments in the local tourism landscape.