‘Friendship alley,’ animal encounter, welcome center receive boost
The Logan County Visitors Bureau announced this week it has awarded three tourism grants to support local projects that aim to enhance the visitor experience and encourage more people to explore Logan County.
This first round of the grant program received a strong group of applications with thoughtful ideas to strengthen tourism throughout the county.
Award recipients are: the Village of West Liberty and the West Liberty Business Association to develop “Friendship Alley,” a new public space in the alley between Dorcey’s Flowers and the library; En Gedi Ridge Zoo, a family-owned business operated by Trent and Krista Reynolds; and the Downtown Lakeview Business Group for a new welcome center project.
The Visitors Bureau Council was excited to see the level of interest and is proud to support these three grants that reflect the goals of the program.
“The Logan County Visitors Bureau Grant program is a great way for businesses and organizations that are focused on tourism in our county to boost their initiatives and add funding to beneficial projects,” said J.D. Harshfield, Logan County Visitors Bureau Council chair.
“It is not only great for the organizations, but also for the community that sees and benefits from local tourism dollars being pumped into the local economy.”
Relating to “Friendship Alley” in West Liberty, the new public space will include tables, string lights, and a photo opportunity, creating a casual place for people to enjoy downtown, whether they’re grabbing ice cream, playing a game, or just visiting.
“Projects like Friendship Alley help bring energy and activity to small towns and encourage people to explore the area,” said Anna Louden, Logan County Visitors Bureau director.
“We’re excited to support the West Liberty Business Association in creating a space that will serve both locals and visitors.”
Located in rural Logan County and currently open by appointment only, fellow grant recipient En Gedi Ridge Zoo offers hands-on animal encounters and educational opportunities for visitors of all ages.
The grant will help fund a new entrance sign to make the property easier to find and more inviting to guests as they expand their hours and programming over the next year.
“Krista and Trent have created something really unique with En Gedi Ridge, and it is exciting to see their plans moving forward,” said Louden. “We are glad to support their growth and help more people discover what they offer.”
For the new welcome center in Lakeview, the Downtown Lakeview Business Group plans to purchase a visitor shed to use as an information booth during events in Lakeview. It will be stocked with local business materials, information on attractions, and details about upcoming events in Logan County.
“We’re always looking for ways to connect visitors to all that Logan County has to offer,” said Louden. “Having a spot like this in Downtown Lakeview helps make sure people know where to go and what to explore during their visit.”
“Awarding the grants represents a significant step forward in the Logan County Visitors Bureau’s ongoing efforts to promote the unique countywide attractions, events, and experiences that Logan County has to offer,” said Rebekah Smith, Logan County Visitors Bureau Council vice chair.
“We believe that these grants will provide invaluable resources to help our local organizations continue to create memorable experiences for those who live in or visit our wonderful county.”
The next round of tourism grant applications will open in September. These grants are designed specifically for projects that drive or support tourism in Logan County. Businesses and organizations are encouraged to begin thinking about ideas they could submit that would attract visitors or improve the visitor experience.
For questions or more information, contact Louden at alouden@logancountyohio.com.
