HARFORD COUNTY, MD—Harford County plans to award $1.55 million to 26 local nonprofits for developing and implementing tourism-related activities in the fiscal year 2021. The county’s competitive award program is funded by the local hotel/lodging fee initiated in 2015 by County Executive Barry Glassman.

Over the past six years, the Glassman administration has awarded a total of $9 million to support historical, cultural, agricultural, heritage, and eco-tourism operations, generating economic activity and strengthening attractions enjoyed by tourists and residents alike.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on hotel receipts, half of the FY21 awards will be released starting next month, with the balance subject to funding availability to be determined in December. Some funding will be contingent on whether events are permitted under Gov. Hogan’s Roadmap to Recovery.

To be eligible for funding, nonprofits must be 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) organizations. The Harford County Office of Community & Economic Development (OCED) oversees the competitive funding application process that was open earlier this year from mid-January to mid-April. OCED held two workshops to answer questions from interested organizations and assisted with the application process. The workshops focused on three critical criteria that enhanced eligibility: organizations must be in good standing with the state; programs or activities must be able to draw visitors from outside the borders of Harford County, and the extent to which their successful implementation depends on receiving funding.

The Harford County Tourism Advisory Committee reviews all applications and makes recommendations to the county executive. Recommendations are made to serve the greatest number of recipients while focusing on organizational accountability and sustainability.

This year’s funding recipients have been sent a notification letter from County Executive Glassman announcing their award amount.An award package from OCED will follow with guidelines for executing a Memorandum of Agreement, quarterly performance and budget reporting templates, and procedures for receiving funding. Once packet materials are fully executed, funds will be made available after July 1, 2020.

Nonprofit organizations receiving contributions for FY21 are listed below:

Bel Air Downtown Alliance, Inc. -$45,000 in general operating support for special events in Downtown Bel Air

Bel Air Recreational Committee-$10,000 in general operating support forspecial events such as the Bel Air Arts Festival

Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford County, Maryland, Inc. -$21,500 for operations and marketing for the First Lego League Team Competition

Community Projects of Havre de Grace, Inc. (The Havre de Grace Colored School Foundation)-$30,000 for operations and marketing of multiple programs

Friends of Concord Point Lighthouse, Incorporated -$18,000 for operations

Darlington Apple Festival-$25,000 in general operating support for the Apple Festival

Harford Artists’ Association, Inc.-$7,500 for marketing and event support

Harford Community College Foundation, Inc. -$40,000 for expanded event marketing/support

Harford County Farm Fair, Inc. -$45,000 for fair operations

Havre de Grace Alliance, Inc. -$38,000 for operations

Havre de Grace Arts Collective, Inc. -$15,000 for operations and marketing

Havre de Grace Decoy Museum -$80,000 for operations and marketing

Havre de Grace Maritime Museum, Inc. -$35,000 for operations

Highland Community Association, Inc. -$50,000 for operations and marketing

Hosanna Community House, Incorporated-$45,000 for operations of multiple events

Maryland Center for the Visual and Performing Arts, Inc.-$50,000 for operations and marketing

Rockfield Foundation, Incorporated -$25,000 for operations, outreach, and event support

Soroptimist International of Havre de Grace, Inc.-$5,000 for the Havre de Grace Arts Show

Steppingstone Museum Association, Inc. -$50,000 for operations and programs

Susquehanna Museum of Havre de Grace, Inc.-$35,000 for Lock House operations

Susquehanna Symphony Orchestra, Inc. -$25,000 for operations and outreach

Susquehannock Wildlife Society, Inc.-$55,000 for operations

The Historical Society of Harford County, Inc. -$40,000 for operations

The Liriodendron Foundation, Inc. -$70,000 for operations and outreach

The Trustees of The Ladew Topiary Gardens, Inc. -$55,000 for operations and outreach

Visit Harford!, Inc. -$640,000 for operations and outreach and support of all tourism related activities within the county