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Arizona Office of Tourism Distributes $1.1 Million in Tourism Matching Grants

Grants Assist AZ Communities in Marketing Tourism Destinations

PHOENIX ( July 29, 2009) – Sherry Henry, director of the Arizona Office of Tourism (AOT), announced today that AOT is awarding $1.1 million in matching grants to tourism organizations and tribal entities around the state for Fiscal Year 2010 (FY 2010).

The Arizona Regional and Rural Marketing (ARRM) and EZ Marketing grant programs (formerly the Teamwork for Effective Arizona Marketing grant program) are funding options for statewide communities to use to subsidize advertising efforts, public relations campaigns, research and strategic planning and/or other tourism-related marketing initiatives. These matching grants are an aggressive process with many organizations competing for much-needed advertising and marketing dollars.

This year, AOT received nearly 80 individual and regional applications for the ARRM and EZ Marketing programs. A total of $1.1 million from AOT’s budget has been allocated to fund 78 applications for the FY 2010 grant program. AOT takes great pride in these programs and regards the grants as critical tools to stimulate economic growth and enhance future tourism development.

“The Arizona tourism industry is a critical component in both job creation and revenue generation for our state,” said Henry. “These grant programs are truly an investment in Arizona’s economic future by providing communities and tribes the financial support and marketing resources to attract visitors to our state which contributes to Arizona’s economy.”

The grants are awarded to communities, regional tourism partnerships, tribal entities and statewide associations that meet the program requirements and are able to match the requested funds. Seventy-eight communities, including six Native American organizations, will be impacted by the grant awards, which range from $500 to $80,000. The total amount of grant award monies to be distributed for FY 2010 is $1,167,144. Distribution of funds is contingent on AOT’s final budget amount.

Attached are the lists of recipients for FY 2010. For more information on ARRM, EZ Marketing and/or other grants, please visit the Grants section of www.azot.gov.

About AOT
Created as an executive agency in 1975, the Arizona Office of Tourism is charged with enhancing the state economy and the quality of life for all Arizonans by expanding travel activity and increasing related revenues through tourism promotion and development. AOT works to serve the Grand Canyon States travel industry and related businesses, the traveling public, and the taxpayers of Arizona. For more information, visit www.azot.gov.

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