$70,000 AWARDED TO BUTLER COUNTY PROJECTS DURING TOAST TO TOURISM EVENT
BUTLER COUNTY, PA (May 7, 2026) – Experience Butler County, PA (EBC) awarded a total of $70,000 in grant awards to local businesses and nonprofits. This included the introduction of a brand-new program from the Butler County Tourism Foundation focused on history, heritage, and educational projects.
The grants were presented during the annual Toast to Tourism event on Wednesday, May 6, at the Penn Theater in downtown Butler.
$60,000 in grants were awarded to EBC partners as part of the annual grant program. Upcoming projects include supporting the marketing and growth of popular events like the Mighty Moraine Triathlon and the Rodfathers of Butler Cruise-A-Paalooza.
$10,000 was supplied through the Butler County Tourism Foundation. The new grant program's goal is to raise awareness of the board's mission and support future related projects.
"The Foundation's key initiatives include History Week, America 250 PA Butler County celebrations, partner training seminars, and the Butler Built Garage," said Amy Pack, President of EBC. "This grant program will allow for these programs to expand, and new programs to develop, ensuring preservation and education of Butler County."
An America 250 PA Concert at Moraine State Park, the Roebling Bridge and Workshop restoration project in Saxonburg, and a display on women's flag football at Slippery Rock University are just a few of the initiatives being supported by the grants.
Toast to Tourism also celebrated people making a difference in the Butler tourism community with specialized individual awards, including the Butler County Tourism Ambassador of the Year award, which was presented to Nadine Shingleton of Playthings Etc.
2026 Experience Butler County Grant Recipients
- The Birdwatchers Store
- Butler Township
- Evans City PumpkinFest
- Bear Run Campground
- Get Fit Families, LLC
- Slippery Rock University
- Brighton Transportation
- SurfSUP Adventures
- Tokens Arcade
- Zelienople Area Business Association
- Cranberry Township
- Glade Run
- The Rodfathers of Butler
- Glade Run Lake Conservancy
- Musical Theatre Guild of Butler
- The Butler Florist
- Hilton Garden Inn
- Butler County Family YMCA
- North Country Trail Association
- The Bus Stop Coffee Co.
- The Sweet Gremlin
- Wood Lanes & Co.
- Friends of the Bantam Jeep Association
- The Maridon Museum
2026 Butler County Tourism Foundation Grant Recipients
- Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania
- Saxonburg Borough
- Washington’s Trail 1753
- SurfSUP Adventures
- Quality Gardens Inc.
- Butler Old Stone House Region AACA
- Moraine State Park Regatta
- Tokens Arcade
- The Harmony Inn
- Friends of the Bantam Jeep Association
- Slippery Rock University
Special Award Recipients
- Newcomer of the Year - JJs World Restaurant
- Fan Favorite Award - Lernerville Speedway
- Legacy Award - Art King - Harvest Valley Farm
- Phoenix Award - The Penn Theater
- Unique Vision Award - Sherry Lynn
- Destination Development Award - Zelienople
- Catalyst Award - Butler Township - Pullman Recreation Complex
- Rising Star Award - Pocha by Kye-Won