Outer Banks Non-Profits and Towns receive $1.5 Million in Tourism Impact Grant Awards
On November 6, the Dare County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the distribution of more than $1.58 million in Tourism Impact Grants to local non-profits and several governmental entities to support programs and services needed due to the impact of tourism.
Sponsored annually by the Dare County Tourism Board, these grants help fund important community initiatives that enhance the quality of life for Dare County residents and the quality of experience for visitors, and may include multi-use paths, beach accesses, environmental sustainability initiatives and capital projects at cultural and historical attractions.
“As we continually explore ways to balance the benefits and challenges of visitation to Dare County, our Tourism Impact Grants are a shining example of how we’re leveraging the power of tourism to do more good in and for this special community,” notes Lee Nettles, Executive Director of the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau.
A few programs and services that were approved as part of the 2023-24 Tourism Impact Grants funding process include:
- Restoration of the Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station in commemoration of its 150th anniversary in 2024 as North Carolina’s first U.S. Lifesaving Service station, known in modern times as the U.S. Coast Guard.
- Development of a nature trail at the Frisco Native American Museum that includes educational trail signs, adding benches, and developing a trail workbook.
- Construction of an ADA-compliant elevated dune crossover, parking stalls, and shower station at Governor Street Public Beach Access in Nags Head.
- Constructing a multi-use path on the west side of Hwy 158 in Kitty Hawk that will connect sidewalks from Kitty Hawk to Kill Devil Hills.
- Creation of two interactive exhibits at the NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island focused on the importance of oyster conservation to clean water habitats in our area.
- Construction of a universal playground at Kitty Hawk Elementary School with enhanced safety materials and accessible playground equipment for children of all abilities, open to the public outside of school hours.
“Over the past several years, we have been extremely fortunate to have received Tourism Impact Grants that have allowed us to improve the quality of experience for everyone who enjoys our parks,” explains Jessica Barnes, Director at Outer Banks Forever, the official non-profit partner of the three national parks on the Outer Banks. “These grants have assisted with funding for important and tangible projects that not only improve the overall quality of an experience, but also contribute to enhancing mobility and access, environmental sustainability and the economic growth of our area.”
Since 1992, the Dare County Tourism Board has awarded more than 700 grants to over 150 Dare County non-profits and municipalities, reflecting more than $22 million in funding for projects and services that provide a tangible and sustained benefit for the Outer Banks community.
About Dare County Tourism Board Grants
The Dare County Tourism Board sponsors several grant opportunities each year to help fund and support various Outer Banks projects and events organized by non-profits and government entities. Event Grants are designed to support events that drive overnight visitation to Dare County during less-than-peak months (September 7 to June 15). In addition, the Board offers other funding opportunities through its Restricted Fund Grants, including Tourism Impact Grants and Long-Term Unappropriated Grants, supporting programs or services needed due to the impact of tourism. For guidelines, applications and a list of past grant awards, please visit https://www.outerbanks.org/grants/.
