From Frances Sack

MIDDLETOWN, OHIO-----The Board of Trustees of the Middletown CVB announced its annual grants to 13 Middletown area organizations totaling close to $40,000.

The Convention and Visitors Bureau makes grant awards each year to non-profit and for-profit groups presenting programs and events that draw visitors to Middletown from outside the area. Grant money is to be used for promotion and publicity to attract visitors to Middletown and impact the local economy.

The Middletown CVB's mission is to directly impact the Middletown economy by assisting local groups and businesses that bring new entertainment and hospitality dollars into Middletown and our area. People from other communities who come here to buy admission tickets to local events, eat in local restaurants, stay in Middletown hotels, shop in retail stores or buy a tank of gasoline all add to the Middletown economy. Local hotel and motel bed tax dollars support the services provided by the MCVB. Grant money is taken from the Middletown CVB’s operating budget. The Middletown hotels collect a 3% bed tax on each room rental. A portion of the collected bed tax is channeled through the City of Middletown to the Middletown CVB.

Those organizations receiving grants for 2012 are: MidUSA Ohio Balloon Challenge, $9,000; Middletown Youth Soccer Association, $7,000; MiddFest International $6,000; Light Up Middletown $4,000; Bishop Fenwick High School $3,000; Middletown Fine Arts Center, $3,000; Downtown Middletown, $3,000; Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, $2,000; Middletown Lyric Theatre, $600; Middletown Symphony Orchestra $600; Broad Street Bash, $600; TV Middletown Santa Parade, $600; and South Main Historic Neighborhood Association., $600.