The Bedford County Visitors Bureau has announced two grant programs for 2026 designed to support tourism marketing and development initiatives. The programs are designed to increase visitation and strengthen the county’s position as a regional tourism destination.

The Cooperative Marketing Grant Program supports local tourism-related marketing efforts by nonprofit attractions, events and tourism partners. The funding period runs from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2026, with applications due by Jan. 5, 2026. A total of $50,000 is available through this matching grant program, which requires a 50% cash match. Eligible expenses include paid advertising, social media promotion, and visitor-facing digital content.

For larger scale initiatives, the Tourism Growth Initiative provides competitive funding designed to support larger scale marketing campaigns and tourism development projects with long term potential. The TGI funding period runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, with applications due by June 1, 2026. A total of $100,000 is available. This program requires a 25% match, which may be cash or in-kind. Eligible projects may include advertising, signage, visitor experience enhancements, and digital tools such as destination apps or self-guided tours.

For more information, visit DiscoverBedfordCounty.com or call 814-623-1771.