From enhancing park access and beautifying boroughs to restoring historic landmarks and boosting public programming, the 2024 Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau Community Impact Grant has awarded $309,554 among 38 regional projects.

In addition, the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau announced that applications are reopening for a second time to provide an additional $300,000 towards more community projects.

Of the projects that received grants, local organizations include:

• Chestnuthill Township: $14,877 for Little Mexico trailhead improvements

• Family Promise of the Poconos: $1,060 for beautifying property on Main Street in Stroudsburg

• GO Collaborative: $12,000 to expand Snowmen of Stroudsburg project

• Jim Thorpe Borough: $10,000 to refurbish Victorian streetlights downtown

• Jim Thorpe Tourism Agency: $7,500 to replace two Jim Thorpe welcome signs

• Kettle Creek Environmental Fund: $18,000 to reconstruct and enhance Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center main entrance

• Lansford Alive: $1,500 for flag replacement and borough-wide beautification

• Lansford Historical Society: $3,500 for the 1850 Welsh Church ceiling replacement

• Mahlon S. Kemmerer Memorial Park Center Inc.: $9,285 for Kemmerer Park Pavilion roof and floor repairs in downtown Jim Thorpe

• Monroe Co. Historical Association: $20,000 to purchase display cases for Stroud Mansion

• Palmerton Borough: $10,000 for the installation of a pickleball court

• Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center: $10,000 to improve drainage and landscaping • Polk Township: $10,000 for Walking Park playground equipment and installation

• Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm: $3,000 to upgrade entrances with new signage and landscaping • Ross Township: $4,250 for outdoor refurbishments at museum entrance

“We established this grant program to say ‘thank you’ to local communities that do so much for residents, as well as the 30 million tourists who visit the Poconos each year. Providing a financial boost for impactful projects across the region benefits all who live, work, play, and learn in the Pocono Mountains,” said Chris Barrett, President/CEO of the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau.

Now in its third year, the PMVB Community Impact Grant has awarded a total of $958,166 among 104 projects since 2022. Total contributions will surpass the million-dollar mark following the second round of 2024 funding. Utilizing funds from the Hotel Occupancy Tax, the program is one of the many ways that tourism continues giving back in the Pocono Mountains.

Local governments including, but not limited to, boroughs and townships as well as municipal and redevelopment authorities are eligible to apply for funding to support projects that aim to enhance the quality of life in Wayne, Pike, Monroe, and Carbon counties.

Applications for the second round of funding opened Friday and will be accessible through May 6. Projects approved in the first round are not eligible to reapply. At least a 50% match is required, and the grant cap request is $20,000. The application and additional details about project requirements will be available at poconomountains.com/grants.