By Staff
special to The Star
Nov. 26, 2003
Five local organizations will receive matching funds from the Lauderdale County Tourism Bureau to help with their promotional efforts.
The Meridian Council for the Arts has qualified for $2,100 to be used in advertising Arts in the Park. Merrehope will receive $485 to assist in promoting the annual "Trees of Christmas" tour. The Jimmie Rodgers Foundation is eligible to receive $5,000 for publicity and promotion for the 2004 Jimmie Rodgers Memorial Festival to be held in April and May. It was decided by the five-member grants committee to award State Games of Mississippi $7,500.
In addition, Phi Beta Sigma (GES Chapter)/Zeta Phi Beta (DNZ Chapter) will be awarded $1,150 to advertise their annual State Leadership Conference in Meridian in March 2004. It is projected that the conference will need about 200 hotel rooms for overnight guests.
The funds are available through a local matching grant program established by the Tourism Bureau. The goal of the program is to increase travel into Meridian and Lauderdale County by providing matching funds for promotional activities.
Eligible applicants are local not-for-profit organizations. Projects considered for funding must appeal to a target market beyond Meridian and Lauderdale County and demonstrate the potential for economic return. Projects eligible for funding include advertising, brochure, poster or flier production and Internet home page production.