By JEFF STITT
Even amid a pandemic, when the tourism industry is taking a hit as a result of people staying home and avoiding planes, trains and crowds, the Washington County Tourism Promotion Agency sees the county as one the fastest-growing tourism destinations in Pennsylvania.
In fact, the board views the county as “a complete leisure, recreational and commercial destination providing lasting memories, joyous experiences and unparalleled opportunities for all.”
A grant awards announcement issued Friday by the Visit Washington County, PA initiative states that Washington County is the home of “some of the country’s finest historical and cultural attractions” and that those attractions are contributing to the county’s economic and tourism growth.
To support that growth, WCTPA announced $93,300 in new tourism investments Friday that are being awarded to public and private organizations for capital and marketing projects in the 2021 “tourism season.”
Jeff Kotula, president of the WCTPA, said the pandemic has slowed the tourism industry’s growth in the county, but he is confident the county’s position as a leader in business and leisure visitation in the Greater Pittsburgh Region will enable the industry to recover.
“The agency is committed to building our county’s tourism industry long-term and the nearly $100,000 in new investments in marketing and capital projects the agency is making in our entertainment, historical and cultural attractions will prepare and position Washington County to take full advantage of the new opportunities that will arise when we emerge from the pandemic,” Kotula said.
Historical and entertainment organizations such as the Washington Wild Things, Washington Symphony Orchestra and McSummerfest will receive grants to promote their events. The agency will also invest in capital projects for the National Pike Trail Council, West Alexander Fair, Mingo Creek Craft Distillers and others.
Locally, the Mon Valley Alliance Foundation, a branch of the Mon Valley Alliance, has been awarded a $10,000 capital projects grant for enhancements at Magic City Riverfront Park — the former site of Charleroi Cougars Stadium, which was demolished in 2018.
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