Tourist Development Council Announces Events Grants

* Tourism Director Susan Rupe has announced that the Hernando County Tourist Development Council (HCTDC) is accepting applications for Special Event Funding. The deadline to submit applications will be 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29; and all applications will be considered for funding during fiscal year 2008-09 (Oct. 1, 2008 to Sept. 30, 2009. Applications received after the submission deadline will not be considered during fiscal year 2008-09 and will be returned to the sponsoring organization. The HCTDC sets aside a portion of its annual budget for special event funding for local groups and organizations coordinating events with a demonstrated history of visitor impact or significant potential to attract visitors to Hernando County.

* New Policies and Procedures have been set for applications submitted for the 2008-09 funding year. The application packet is available online at www.naturallyhernando.org or can be picked up at the Tourism Bureau office located at 30305 Cortez Blvd.

* A marketing meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 14, at the Best Western I-75, 30305 Cortez Blvd. (State Road 50 at I-75).The meeting will cover "Marketing Your Event" and will address questions regarding the application process. Application packages will be available at the meeting. To attend the meeting, RSVP no later than 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 11, by calling 352-754-4405.