Explore Georgia has awarded $20,000 in tourism product development grants to four new and expanding projects across the state.
Recipients and projects receiving tourism development grants include:
- Food Truck and RV Park, Claxton: A Food Truck Park will be developed in downtown Claxton. Existing greenspace with mature oak trees will have new benches and lighting added to create a pleasant outdoor dining experience. The venue will host a food truck festival and serve as a stop on the 25th annual Cruisin’ in the Countryside bike tour on Nov. 13. It will also offer electrical and water hookups for short-term RV visitors.
- “Love Where You Live” Hearts public art, Douglasville: The “Love Where You Live” heart public art project invites local artists to create designs on fiberglass heart sculptures placed around the community. The artists will install painted heart sculptures in high-traffic areas to create photo opportunities for visitors.
- South Georgia Food & Wine Festival, Jeff Davis County: South Georgia Food & Wine Festival grew from three smaller food truck events in Hazlehurst. The event will feature Georgia Grown foods, craft beer, wine, and music. The 2021 event will be held April 16-17.
- Alleyway Restoration, Toccoa: The Alleyway Restoration project will include restoration work following historic preservation standards to two alleyways in downtown Toccoa. The alleyways will have bistro lighting added to make it an outdoor entertainment and event area.
“It’s as important as ever to create and grow tourism products to help aid the recovery of our tourism industry and the broader economy,” Deputy Commissioner of Tourism Mark Jaronski said in a news release. “We are grateful for the opportunity to help communities expand and boost their appeal as a destination for tourists, encourage spending in local businesses, create jobs, and restore economic activity.”
Explore Georgia is the tourism division within the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD).