The amount awarded to the Wayne County Tourism Promotion Committee totaled $56, 820, an increase from the amount given in 2009. The complete list of recipients is listed below.
“The money comes from the 3 percent lodging tax in Wayne County,” said Genevieve Reese, a member of the Wayne County Tourism Promotion Committee.
Eighteen applications were received for 2010, and special emphasis was given to groups who work to bring tourists to the area. (The list of recipients follows this story.)
The Wayne County Commissioners held a public hearing to hear comments about requested grants through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The program funds projects such as street paving, sidewalk repair and construction, and work on public/community facilities, among other things.
Although many of the requests are eligible, each single request must benefit a segment of the population where 51 percent of the population is of moderate to low income.
The total money requested for projects is $336,055. The money made available last year totaled $237,287, but an increase in available funds is expected to increase, said Jackie Young, Wayne County Redevelopment Authority.
Other county news:
• The Wayne County Commissioners approved a revision of the Homeless Assistance Pre-Expenditure Report for 2010. The amount that will be used by agencies in the county to assist the homeless will be $35,700.
• The Wayne County Office of Human Services Governing Board awarded a request for proposal by software company Route Match for routing package software for the Wayne County Transportation Department. The bid is for $60,071, and the software transportation program used for scheduling, routing, keeping track of rides and funding streams, as well as mileage and other forms of data required by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
• The Wayne County Office of Mental Health/Mental Retardation Governing Board approved contracts with various agencies which provide services to those who need assistance with mental health or mental retardation issues. Some of the funding has been cut because of economic issues, but no cases have been terminated. “The service providers are cutting back on their costs...they are helping us and helping our clients,” said Andrea Whyte, Director of Human Services for Wayne County.
The Wayne County Commissioners on Thursday approved the following disbursements to organizations, recommended by the Wayne County Tourism Promotion Committee:
• Hawley Lake Wallenpaupack Chamber of Commerce
Philadelphia Advertising/Outdoor Expo $6,000
2011 February Activity Showcase $5,000
• Friends of Prompton State Park
Trail Mapping & Website $2,800
• Women's Club of Honesdale
Beautification $1,800
• Wayne County Historical Society
Website and Rack Cards $2,000
• Honesdale Roots & Rhythm Music & Arts, Inc.
Event Sponsor and Event Promotion $10,000
• Equinunk Historical Society
Marketing of Events $3,000
• Rail-Trail Council of NEPA
Brochure and Map of Trails $1,480
• Parties in the Park - Waymart
Event Promotion $1,500
• Wayne County Chamber of Commerce
Philadelphia Advertising $2,500
• Southern Wayne Regional Chamber of Commerce
Brochure Distribution/Event Promotion $2,500
• Lacawac Sanctuary
Trail Improvements $2,000
Brochure Distribution $1,700
• Creative Arts Council
Event Marketing/Promotion $3,300
• Wayne County Campground Owners
RV Shows-Promotional Distribution $1,100
• Delaware Highlands Conservancy
Distribution of Publications/Website $4,000
• Greater Honesdale Partnership
Sponsor for Harvest & Holiday Events $6,000.
