The Caswell County Tourism Development Authority (CCTDA) Is excited to announce that the 2024-25 Small Grant Program is now open. The grant cycle began July 1, 2024 and will be open until funds are expended. Small businesses and organizations located in Caswell County that have a direct impact on tourism, are eligible to apply for a small grant (from $500 - $2500). A detailed list of qualifications and directions on applying may be found at VisitCaswell.com/About.
This funding is made available by the visitors that come to Caswell County and spend the night here. A state statute requiring lodging entities like hotels, Airbnb & VRBO to pay an occupancy tax that is required by law to be spent in promotion of the county by marketing and tourism building efforts. The CCTDA oversees the spending of these funds via awarding grants and marketing the county.
In 2023-24, there were eight grant/sponsorship awards presented to the small business community in Caswell.
Bucks & Bass Caswell Outdoors – Awarded a grant to expand their offerings to include a professional fishing guide service targeted at tourists outside the county. With assistance from the Small Business Center at Piedmont Community College this offering is poised to grow through time. Bucks & Bass has reached a small business milestone having been in business 5 years! You can follow the success of their new service on Facebook.
Caswell County Historic Association – Awarded a grant to have a brochure professionally designed and printed to outline the activities and services of the historic association that will be shared with a network of regional museums outside the county that plan trips to visit the Richmond-Miles Museum.
Caswell County Chamber of Commerce – Awarded a sponsorship grant to help in promoting outside of the county, the annual hoedown fall festival.
Caswell History Speaks/Caswell Arts Council – Rosenwald School Project – Awarded a grant to present the history of Rosenwald Schools here to audiences from surrounding areas to visit for the two events. Dates to be announced.
Flying Disc Company (FDC)– Awarded a grant to increase the size of their disc golf course as they have over 75% of their patrons arriving from outside of Caswell. FDC has reached the one-year milestone and is strongly growing its following. Check them out on Instagram.
Milton Renaissance Foundation – Awarded a grant for a special event featuring the work of R. Wayne Bailey, Milton resident, wherein he nearly single-handedly saved the wild turkey population from extinction with turkeys from Caswell! Event featured visitors from Ohio and had attendees from as far away as New Mexico.
Milton 66 – Awarded a grant to improve their space by adding a porch to their building for bands, events, and customer engagement. Stop by to see their amazing gathering space that also includes an outdoor mural. They are active on social media too.
MMA (Milton Merchants Association) – Awarded a grant to build a website and purchase banners to assist in the promotions of Milton businesses collectively. Check it out at VisitMiltonNC.com. This group is working together to make Milton a destination spot for nearby out of county visitors.
Town of Yanceyville – Independence Day Band Sponsor – Awarded a grant sponsorship to assist in the band entertainment at the annual Independence Day Celebration in Yanceyville.
In addition to providing small grants to local establishments, the CCTDA maintains the tourism website at VisitCaswell.com, attends meetings representing Caswell County and provides ongoing outreach in the community and region. Working with the state sanctioned UPLIFT Tourism initiative, the CCTDA is able to leverage resources working with other nearby counties.
The Caswell County TDA is especially excited to be making this significant impact on the small businesses and organizations of the community through the work being done. Learn more by visiting our website at VisitCaswell.com. If you are interested in applying for one of the grants and do not see the details you need online, please feel free to contact us at Hello@VisitCaswell.com.
As published by Amanda Hodges in Discover Caswell Magazine, September 2024.