Last week, the Decatur County Visitors and Recreation Commission, better known as Decatur County Tourism, announced the recipients the group’s Fall 2009 Grant Cycle.

One of the vehicles used to promote and develop the local area comes from grants designed to support the development of events and other marketing tools for the community. Those grants are awarded to non-profit organizations that are show to either “promote or develop the hospitality industry in Greensburg and Decatur County.” This season, more than $8,000 was awarded to community projects, including: the American Kennel Club (AKC) Coonhound Division was awarded money to help support the 2010 National AKC Coonhound Championship, returning to the Decatur County 4-H Fairgrounds on May 6 through May 10, 2010; the Indiana District of the Gold Wing Road Riders Association was awarded money to support the 2010 Indiana Spring Wing Rally at the Decatur County 4-H Fairgrounds on May 27 through May 30, 2010; the Greensburg Car Show was awarded money to support the marketing for the 2010 Greensburg Car Show in downtown Greensburg on July 30 through July 31, 2010; the Arts and Cultural Council of Decatur County was awarded money to support the development of a promotional brochure; and Greensburg Youth Baseball was awarded money to support their 2010 tournaments schedule.

More than $100,000 has been awarded since the DCVRC was formed. Some of the groups receiving support over the years include: Downtown Greensburg Development Corporation; Power of the Past; Decatur County Historical Society; River Valley Resources; New Point Crackaway Daze; Decatur County Fair Board; The Independent Westport Area Business Association; the American Kennel Club; Town of New Point; the Decatur County Parks and Recreation Department; and Stapp's Circle S Ranch.

The Decatur County Visitors and Recreation Commission supports two grant cycles each year. The next round is set for spring 2010. Deadlines will be announced after the first of the year. For additional information, those interested can call the tourism office at 812-222-8733.