Cultural Heritage Tourism Business Development

MINI-GRANTS

Update** A second distribution ($5,585) of the mini-grant funding was re-allocated in Dec. 07. One of the original grantees was unable to use the funding as requested and returned the unspent portion. This allocation was divided among two of the original applicants that were not able to be funded on the first round.

Congratulations:

• Belington CVB awarded for the Laurel Hill Civil War re-enactment

• Fort Seybert Heritage Educational Assoc. for the Mills of Pendleton County project.

The Cultural Heritage Development program of Preservation Alliance of West Virginia, thanks to a grant from the Benedum Foundation, has awarded $90,000 for cultural heritage tourism business development projects for West Virginia communities.

A total of sixteen communities were awarded funding ranging from $2,250 to $7,200 for a wide variety of projects in four categories. See project list below and follow the links to learn more about cultural heritage development in these communities.

Entrepreneurship

• Phillipi/Adaland-Cultural Heritage Mentorship Training: http://www.adaland.org
• National Road-Wheeling/Workshop for Travel West Virginia Teachers: http://www.historicwvnationalroad.org/history.htm

Business Expansion

• Marlinton/Pocahontas Woods-Traditional Woodworking: http://www.pocahontaswoods.org

Improvement of Cultural Heritage Tourism Offerings

• Elkins/Water Gap Retreat: http://www.watergapretreat.com
• Elkins/Webster Cranberry Loop: http://gorp.away.com/gorp/location/wv/wv_leaf.htm
• Elkins/Cultural Heritage Signs: http://www.cityofelkinswv.com
• Helvetia/Cheese Company: http://www.wvculture.org/History/wvhs1311.html
• Lewisburg/Step on Guides http://www.lewisburg-wv.com
• Keyser/Traveler's Rest: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traveller's_Rest_(West_Virginia)
• Martinsburg/Bustling Berkley: http://www.martinsburg.com
• Midland Trail Destination Enrichment Program: http://www.midlandtrail.com

Expanding Market Access for WV Products

• Charleston/CEO-Increasing Sales of Locally Produced Products: http://www.centerforeconomicoptions.org/ShowcaseWestVirginiaInformation.php
• Kingwood/Preston County Arts Council Website: http://www.prestonartscouncil.org
• Thomas/MountainMade Farmer’s Market: http://www.mountainmade.com
• Wardensville/Visitor & Conference Center Enhancement: http://www.heritageweekend.com/tix.html
• Welch/ Ashland Company Store http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/WV/McDowell/state.html