$70,000 AWARDED TO BUTLER COUNTY PROJECTS DURING TOAST TO TOURISM EVENT

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.