$100k tourism grant received for Anderson County Park
Anderson County has received a $100,000 state Tourism Advancement Grant that will go toward paving the parking lot at the boat-launch area of Anderson County Park.
County Tourism Director Stephanie Wells said the county must provide a 100% match to the grant, and that $100,000 will come out of the county’s tourism fund. Most of that fund comes from special hotel and motel sales taxes.
“The scope of the grant is to pave the parking area adjacent to the public boat launch at Anderson County Park on Norris Lake,” Wells said.
This is the third such grant the county has received for the park. The other two were used to help pay for doubling the size of the public launch ramp, and transforming one of the picnic areas into 18 additional camping spots with electrical and water hookups.
“The project aims to address the increasing demand from boaters seeking improved and expanded parking facilities when accessing Norris Lake,” Wells said.
Additionally, “a key motivation for this enhancement is to position the park as an attractive host location for larger fishing tournaments.”
Anderson County’s most-recent grant application was a partnership between the Tourism Council (Adventure Anderson County) and the county Conservation Board.
The $100,000 grant Anderson County is receiving is part of more than $2.2 million in Tourism Enhancement Grants approved recently for 29 Tennessee communities by the state Department of Tourist Development.
These grants are designed to support cities and counties investing in their local tourism assets, help increase visitation and boost economic impact from tourism.
Eligible projects include stages, signage, historic preservation, ADA compliancy and other improvements to local attractions and venues.
“Tourism is vital for the growth and sustainability of communities throughout Tennessee, especially in our rural communities,” said Melanie Beauchamp, assistant commissioner
of Rural Tourism and Outreach for
the Department of Tourist Development.
“These projects create opportunities for visitors, enhance the quality of life for residents, and ultimately, bring more funds back into the communities.”