Happy Valley Adventure Bureau Awards Additional Grants to 5 Centre County Tourism Projects

Centre County’s official tourism promotion agency on Tuesday awarded a second round of 2022-23 Tourism Grants to five local projects.

The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau, in conjunction with the Centre County Board of Commissioners, previously announced in June a total of $636,900 in grant funding for 60 projects to boost initiatives and facilities that drive tourism and improve quality of life. Additional funding, however, was tabled for a second round of grants in late fall.

“There is a lot of enthusiasm building for 2023,” HVAB President and CEO Fritz Smith said in a statement. “The county will play host to an exciting variety of events, festivals, tournaments and conferences next year. We are pleased that the grant program has been able to support so many of these events, which are important to growing our visitation economy, and overall community quality of life.” 

A total of $45,400 was awarded on Tuesday for events taking place in the winter and spring.

• Happy Valley Improv received $17,500 to promote the Happy Valley XL Improv Festival, May 18-21, 2023 at the Blue Brick Theatre.

• Happy Valley Comic Con received $7,400 (in addition to $5,000 awarded in June) to market the Happy Valley Comics and Collectibles Convention, Feb. 25-26, 2023 at Nittany Valley Sports Centre

• 3 Dots Downtown received $12,500 to promote the second annual Creative Communities convening conference in State College, May 11-13, 2023.

• ClearWater Conservancy received $2,000 for its Art & Chocolate event, Feb. 17, 2023 at 3 Dots Downtown.

• Gorinto Productions, on behalf of Rhoneymeade Fest, received $6,000 for the three-day art and music event being held June 1-4, 2023.

“The commissioners enjoyed participating in the second round of 2022-23 Tourism Grant funding,” Centre County Commissioner and HVAB Board Member Mark Higgins said in a statement. “We feel the five organizations receiving funding meet the goals of attracting visitors and improving the quality of life in Centre County. We thank the board and staff of the HVAB for their diligent efforts to grow the tourism economy in Centre County.”

“[It is] always fantastic to see organizations in Centre County provide first-class events for tourists and residents alike,” added Commissioner Steve Dershem.

The grant program, now in its 20th year, is funded by the 5% local hotel occupancy tax authorized by the county.  It has awarded awarded nearly $6.6 million since its inception.