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Cattaraugus County's Tourism Promotion Grant Program, also known as the Bed Tax Grant Program, accepts funding applications, that support and encourage tourism promotion in Cattaraugus County, New York (the Enchanted Mountains).

Funding Source

The program's funding source is the County's share of taxes collected from overnight stays, bed taxes, within the County. This funding source is split into the following two groups:

Group A

Several Chambers of Commerce with full-time staff.

Group B

Business associations, non-profit organizations, events, festivals, chambers of commerce without full-time staff and other tourism-associated activities.

Program Contact

This grant is managed by Tourism in the Cattaraugus County Department of Economic Development, Planning & Tourism (Catt. County EDPT).

What does the Bed Tax Grant cover on Online Advertising?

Online Advertising types that are covered:

• Clicks to Website
• Ad Impressions
• Facebook/Instagram Digital Ads
• Facebook Website Conversions
• Facebook Page Post Engagement/Boosts FKA Promoted Posts
• Facebook Page Likes
• Facebook / Instagram Video Views
• Other online advertising

Get Organized 

These elements will help you plan your campaign.

• What message(s) do you want to spread?
• What is the most important thing you want to share?
• Please be sure to gather images and/or videos that you'd like to use.
• What action(s) do you want visitors to take?

Base Requirements

EM in Content

Content mentions that they are in the Enchanted Mountains of Western New York which links to EnchantedMountains.com.

Example:

Rock City Park is in the Enchanted Mountains of New York State.

See Referencing the Enchanted Mountains.

Logo on the page

Enchanted Mountains logo on the campaign landing page which links to EnchantedMountains.com. The logo must remain on said page for a year from the campaign start date.

The EM logo has to be in your Footer or Sidebar on every page; See Referencing the Enchanted Mountains. The website has to be reviewed by Economic Development, Planning & Tourism.

Approval

Tourism must review of the landing page prior to the campaign's start date.

Placing Ads

You will work with Tourism to help you plan your advertising campaign. Please note on Facebook / Instagram ad placements, we may need access to your Page.

Billing

We place the advertisement when it has been reviewed and approved.

Mentioned in "About"

About section should mention how your destination is in Cattaraugus County, the Enchanted Mountains of Western New York.

Requirements

Just like other online advertising you have to have EM info on your landing page.

"Group B" of the Tourism Promotion Grant Program (Bed Tax Program) is for any organization (non-profit or business) to get more people to their event or destination.

Overview

A portion of bed tax is intended to provide grants for advertising and promoting various new or expanded tourism events, unique festivals, attractions and experiences that will attract more visitors for extended stays, overnight visits and day getaways. This grant program seeks to establish the importance of programs and opportunities that promote or support the development of specific themes or significant attractions and events, all of which enhance the level of visitor experience in the area. Any eligible grantee will partner and coordinate with the Cattaraugus County Department of Economic Development, Planning & Tourism (EDPT).

Funds for Marketing Campaign

The funds supplied by this grant, the funding source, are from the County's share of taxes collected from overnight stays, bed taxes, within the County.

This funding is intended to supplement your marketing campaign's advertising budget and not meant to be your entire advertising budget; therefore a match or share of cost is expected.

Eligible Applicants

Chambers without full-time staff, business associations, non-profit organizations, events, festivals and other tourism associated activities.

The funds in this group will be administered by EDPT. Grantees will partner and coordinate with EDPT.

Application Period

Catt. County EDPT will announce the release of the applications in fall for the upcoming year. Applications are accepted after they are released  from October to early December. Please double check application dates as they vary slightly each year. 

Application Process

Complete an application for each marketing campaign project.

The marketing campaign should include which expenses would be covered by the Bed Tax Grant Program and which would be covered by your organization. The marketing campaign for Group B of the Tourism Promotion Grant Program could potentially contain a mix of following:

• Print materials
• Online Advertising
• Radio Advertising
• Television & Video Advertising

Possible applicants should develop a written plan for how their funding will be used.

Application & Guidelines Document

tourism_grant_guidelines_2026.pdf

Questions

Contact us with your questions on our Tourism Promotion Grant Program questions form or call us at 1-800-331-0573.