Grant Money for Healdsburg Events Likely to Draw Tourists

There’s only a couple of days left to apply for some of the grant money being offered by Healdsburg’s Tourism Improvement District, to anyone who wants to organize “arts, cultural and educational activities” that will encourage people to come stay in Healdsburg this summer and fall. The events and programs most likely to get funded are ones that “improve tourism and promote room stays” from May through October at the 30-plus local hotels that pay into the district. (And enhance “overall quality of life” for Healdsburg residents too, of course.) District officials hand out these grants twice per year; past payouts have reportedly ranged from $75,000 to $200,000 total. The deadline to apply this time around is Thursday, Feb. 29. According to the Tourism Improvement District, previous grants have gone to activities like Merry Healdsburg; the T.O.W.N dinner series; “music and cultural performances” at THE 222; volunteer work by food-justice nonprofit Farm to Pantry; the annual “watershed cleanup” along the Russian River; the Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience; the Alexander Valley Film Society’s yearly film festival; and more. You can apply for a chunk of the money on the Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce website. (Source: Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce)