Who gets all that hotel tax money?

Brett Sholtis

York Daily Record

York County's tourism committee is giving more than $800,000 in grants to projects that it says will add visitors — and their spending money — to the region.

The payouts come after York County commissioners increased a tax to those who stay at hotels from 3 percent to 5 percent, said York County Convention & Visitors Bureau spokesman Andrew Staub.

This is the first year the committee has awarded the grants, which are available because of the increased tax, Staub said. More than 60 groups applied for the tourism grants, and 18 were awarded.

The grant committee is comprised of Rep. Kate Klunk, R–Hanover, York County President Commissioner Susan Byrnes, York County Economic Alliance president Kevin Schreiber, Hanover Chamber of Commerce spokeswoman Katy King, RKL partner Rob Berkebile and Springwood Hospitality CEO Dave Hogg. It is chaired by York Revolution president Eric Menzer.

Here's where some of that money goes, focusing on the four highest-dollar grants:

Softball fields — $225,000

The City of York will receive a grant to repair three softball fields at Memorial Park.

The fields haven't been renovated since 1982, and the backstops and fences need to be replaced, said Jim Gross, the city's director of public works.

The city also hopes to add lighting to two of the fields, Gross said. The work will be completed by local contractors.

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The softball field renovations are an important investment for sports tourism, Gross said.

“We have tournaments on the weekends and we draw some big tournaments to York," Gross said. "Probably the biggest is the Eastern Nationals. Girls come from across the country and of course they bring their families with them.”

Corey Witmer of Windsor Township, left, and Ryan Dixon of Springettsbury Township, right, watch a game during Avery Marie Against AFLP's third annual co-ed slow-pitch softball tournament fundraiser in 2016 at York's Memorial Park Complex. Three fields at the park are getting money from the hotel tax for repairs.

York Expo Center — $151,350

There was a time when the Expo Center was simply the location of the York Fair, said Michael Froehlich, Expo Center general manager. That's changed, however, and now the 87-acre property and its 200,000-square-foot indoor spaces have become the county's convention center.

The grants include $66,000 to plan the future of the center, as well as $30,000 to upgrade the buildings' dated wi-fi system, Froehlich said.

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The remaining $55,350 helps the Expo Center secure a bid fee to host the AAU Middle Atlantic Wrestling Association tournaments in 2019 and 2020.

"That grant will allow us to compete on a level playing field with other convention centers around the country," Froehlich said. “That creates a direct impact to increase tourism.”

This is a scene from a beautiful day at the 2016 York Fair. The fair is one of many events held at the York Expo Center, which is getting hotel tax money for upgrades.

The Rail Trail — $100,000

York County Rail Trail Authority wants to add six miles of path north through York, said Gwen Loose, the authority's executive director. The trail would wind through the city along the Codorus Creek and would end at John Rudy County Park.

Past surveys of those on the rail trail have shown that it draws both York County residents and tourists from Maryland, Virginia and elsewhere, Loose said. The trail gets more than 280,000 visits per year.

That's a lot of people who could be routed through the city in need of food, drinks and places to stay, Loose said. “This puts the city in the midst of this project. They’ll be gaining visitors from both sides.”

Gabriel Lloyd runs on the York County Heritage Rail Trail in Spring Garden Township. The trail authority will get money for expansion northward.

Branding research — $100,000

Downtown Inc and York County Community Foundation both applied for grants with similar ideas, so the committee decided to let both groups work together, said Meagan Feeser, Downtown Inc spokeswoman.

The groups both want to hire Nashville, Tennessee-based Northstar agency to help York — both the city and the county — to improve its brand name as a tourist destination.

Bringing in an outsider can add a fresh perspective, help the area overcome its obstacles and focus on its strengths, Feeser said. “What comes out of that is the brand identity for York. The next phase of that is how to put it in action.”

Click here for the full list of grantees.

York County Tourism grant program recipients.

More money to come

Menzer, the committee chair, said the grant recipients were chosen because those projects would draw tourism, but also because they would make people want to return.

Still, there were other "very good projects" that didn't receive funding, Menzer said. “Anytime you get $10 million in applications for $800,000 in money, someone’s not going to get some.”

The good news, Menzer said, is that applicants should expect similar grant opportunities in the future, as the hotel tax continues to be collected.

That will not only benefit the tourism industry, but also those who live in York County, Menzer said. “It’s almost always the case that what’s good for visitors is good for locals.”