Three in Southwest Georgia awarded state tourism grants

ALBANY — Three Southwest Georgia organizations are among 14 that were awarded a combined $111,624 last week in product development resource team grants for expanded and new tourism projects.

The grants came from the Georgia Department of Economic Development Tourism Division.

Colquitt was awarded $8,750 for storytelling murals. The Miller County community, home to the state’s official folk life play, Swamp Gravy, already is well known for its massive murals depicting rural life.

Shellman appears to be following suit regarding murals. It was awarded $10,000 to facilitate its grain bin murals.

The Randolph County Commission, meanwhile, was awarded $6,750 for its welcome center interactive tourism project.

“Georgia’s tourism industry continues to be one of the state’s leading industries with an economic impact of $60 billion,” Kevin Langston, deputy commissioner for tourism at the Georgia Department of Economic Development, said. “Tourism has a positive impact across the state, by spurring job creation, attracting investment and providing residents with an improved quality of life.

“The success of our industry relies on creation of new tourism product and the resource team grant helps activate these new developments.”

Department officials say the grants are offered to communities that participated in its Tourism Product Development Resource Team program as a way to build product outlined in the resource team’s reports.

“One of our main obstacles in spurring new tourism product is funding in the communities that receive a Tourism Product Development Resource Team,” Cindy Eidson, director of Tourism Product Development for the Georgia Department of Economic Development, said. “By providing grants for projects that we recommend, we help to jump-start tourism development, not only expanding Georgia’s tourism offerings, but also creating jobs and sustainable economic development in these communities.”

Georgia Tourism’s Product Development team has served 46 counties, cities, private for-profits and non-profits throughout the state in areas ranging from agritourism to downtown development.

Other recipients of the 2017 Tourism Product Development Funding Program funds include Bartow County, Chattooga County, Clarkesville (two projects), Darien DDA, Dublin, Forsyth, Hawkinsville, Zebulon, the Meriwether County Industrial Development Authority and Sandersville Downtown Development Authority.

The Georgia Tourism review panel consists of members from the public and private sector, as well as fellow professionals who are experienced in the tourism industry or the type of grant being reviewed.