The Dare County Board of Commissioners at its April 18 meeting approved several distributions from the restricted fund that were brought forth and recommended by the Dare County Tourism Board.
Spending was approved for four July 4 fireworks displays. They are:
Avon Property Owners Association. $9,712.50 toward a $19,425 contract for a show from the Avon Pier.
Town of Kill Devil Hills. $10,000 for a $20,000 contract for a show from Avalon Fishing Pier.
Town of Manteo. $10,000 for a $35,000 contract for a show from the Manteo Waterfront.
Town of Nags Head. $10,000 for a $25,000 contract for a show from Nags Head Pier.
In the grant category of natural, cultural, and historic, a $75,000 grant was awarded to the Nature Conservancy for work in the Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve for Phase I of the planned renovations to the main trailhead and observation area. The request was for $100,000.
A second grant of $8,800 in this category went to the Network for Endangered Sea Turtles for adding educational signs at beach accesses, developing and printing rack cards for visitors and rebuilding the group’s website.
At its March meeting, the Tourism Board approved 13 event grant requests from local municipalities and non-profits.
Five of the events were receiving funds from the Dare County Tourism Board for the first time. These include:
The Hatterasity bluegrass festival in Hatteras village, $4,500.
The third annual OBX Latin Festival, sponsored by Mano al Hermano, $5,000.
OBX PrideFest, sponsored by OBX Pride Inc., $21,000.
The fifth annual Maritime Museum Wooden Boat Show, sponsored by the Town of Manteo, $6,000.
Dare Day 2016, sponsored by the Town of Manteo, $25,000.
Among the previously funded events were:
Veterans Week, Dare County Arts Council, $4,000.
Surfalorus Film Festival, Dare County Arts Council, $5,000.
Shorebreak 5k and Tide Pool Run, Hatteras Island Youth Education Fund, $5,000.
Holiday Homes Tour, Manteo Preservation Trust, $3,000.
OBX Brewtag, Rogallo Foundation. $10,000.
A full list of grant awards can be found www.outerbanks.org/grants.
“The grants awarded continue to bring folks here during our non-peak seasons. The variety of events show what a wonderfully diverse area we are; open to anyone and there is something for everyone here,” said Lee Nettles, executive director of the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau. “As these events are often fundraisers as well, the event grant program is a nice example of how tourism development and quality of life for local residents go hand in hand.”
Event developers may submit applications for the next event grant window, Aug. 1 to 15. Event Grant eligibility is limited to Dare County non-profits and governmental organizations and for events occurring during less-than-peak months. To inquire about the event grant or others offered by the Tourism Board, contact Diane Bognich, administrative director at 252-473-2138 or bognich@outerbanks.org .
