Harford County opens FY27 Tourism Funding Program

Harford County‘s Department of Economic Development has posted its FY 2027 Tourism Funding Program eligibility requirements, opening the enterprise for qualified nonprofit organizations, county officials announced. 

Funding opportunities offered by the tourism program include the Partnership Fund and the Community Impact Fund. 

The Partnership Fund supports organizations collaborating on large-scale or multi-day events while the Community Impact Fund supports nonprofits or municipalities seeking to create, expand or enhance events driving local tourism and economic growth, according to a release.

Funded by revenue generated by the county’s 6 percent hotel tax, the funding program supports events and activities that attract visitors to Harford County. 

“These tourism funds are provided to support our tourism-related non-profits to grow their events, attract visitors beyond the borders of Harford County, and increase hotel stays,” County Executive Bob Cassilly said. 

“We appreciate our hoteliers whose investment in the County helps to generate the growth of hotel stays and in turn, grow hotel tax revenue which funds this program. The tourism funding program, coupled with Hello Harford’s data-driven technology supports all of our tourism stakeholders and raises the bar for county festivals, events and attractions.”

Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) organizations, county officials said. The application period opens Monday, Feb. 23, and concludes Friday, May 8.

Harford’s economic development department plans to host workshops on program eligibility and partnership strategies to assist prospective applicants. The informational sessions will be facilitated in person and online.

More information is available by visiting www.harfordcountymd.gov/2678/Tourism or emailing [email protected].