Visit Highlands, NC awards grants and a sponsorship to three local organizations

More than $160,150 invested since July 1, 2022

HIGHLANDS, N.C. – Visit Highlands, NC today announced its latest round of grants and a sponsorship – $72,150 to support three local, nonprofit organizations.
Each year, Visit Highlands, NC supports local nonprofit organizations through its Tourism Grant and Sponsorship Programs. The grants are funded by occupancy taxes collected from guests staying in Highlands’ accommodations. A committee comprised of volunteers and staff reviews the grant applications and recommends approval to the Highlands Chamber of Commerce/Visit Highlands, NC Board of Directors.

On Feb. 10, the organization announced a new grant and two sponsorships –
• • $12,150 to Mountaintop Rotary Club to support and promote its Mountaintop Arts and Crafts Shows,
• • $50,000 to Highlands Festival Inc. to support and promote the Bear Shadow Music Festival, and
• • $10,000 to support the 2023 season performances at the Highlands Performing Arts Center (PAC).

“It’s an honor to invest these funds back into our community,” said Kaye McHan, executive director of the Highlands Chamber of Commerce/Visit Highlands, NC. “Our grant and sponsorship recipients provide our residents and visitors with educational and cultural experiences that are vital to a thriving, healthy community.
Together, we share the goal of making Highlands a great place to live, work, do business and visit.”

Since July 1, 2022, Visit Highlands, NC has awarded more than $160,150 to local nonprofit organizations through its Tourism Grant Program and sponsorships. The organization awarded more than $250,000 during its last fiscal year.

Representatives from the recipient organizations say the funding is appreciated.

“The Highlands Festivals, Inc. Board of Directors and the crew of Bear Shadow are tremendously grateful for the support from the Highlands Chamber of Commerce/Visit Highlands, NC,” said David Bock, chairman of Highlands Festivals, Inc. “The monies received from the grant will assist us in year-round marketing and public relations efforts for Bear Shadow and the promotion of Highlands as a premiere, year-round destination. We look forward to welcoming the visitors and residents to the third annual Bear Shadow weekend of music, mountains and revelry.”

Michael Lanzilotta, president of Mountaintop Rotary Club of Highlands, agreed.

“Many thanks to the Highlands Chamber of Commerce/Visit Highlands, NC for their financial support, which is used to attract a wide area population to come to the Mountaintop Rotary Club of Highlands Arts and Crafts Show. Our event attracts a couple of thousand visitors over the weekend of the show, which results in increased revenue for Highlands’ businesses.”

The sponsorship funds will help the PAC bring a special production to Highlands.

“This sponsorship from Visit Highlands will enable the Highlands Performing Arts Center to bring an incredible concert, ‘Rhythm of the Dance,’ to the plateau, said Mary Adair Trumbly, executive director of the PAC. “This troupe is the National Dance Company of Ireland. Just imagine 30 dancers on stage with singers and fiddlers. The new, state-of-the-art Performing Arts Center now has a stage large enough to have this troupe here on March 24, just in time to continue your St. Patrick’s Day celebration. We thank Visit Highlands for making this possible!”

For more information about the Highlands Chamber of Commerce/Visit Highlands, NC or its Tourism Grant and Sponsorship Programs, call 828-526-5841 or visit highlandschamber.org.