Experience Butler County Honors Industry Leaders with Awards, Grants

BUTLER COUNTY, PA (May 9, 2025) – Experience Butler County presented 15 grants totaling nearly $50,000 at their annual Toast to Tourism dinner on Thursday, May 8, at the White Barn in Prospect, PA.

Pictured 2025 Toast to Tourism

BUTLER COUNTY, PA (May 9, 2025) – A new distillery event space, a renovated disc-golf course, and a Butler County Yoga festival are projects coming to Butler County as a result of the 2025 Experience Butler County (EBC) grant program. EBC presented 15 grants totaling nearly $50,000 at their annual Toast to Tourism dinner on Thursday, May 8, at the White Barn in Prospect, PA.

The grants will assist a variety of projects relating to the area’s tourist attractions, historic landmarks, and small businesses.

“The goal of these projects is to improve the visitor experience, elevate and create new attractions”. Said Amy Pack, President of Experience Butler County PA “The scope ranges from something as simple as updated attraction signage to funding the creation of new events.”

The Toast to Tourism also celebrated people making a difference in the Butler tourism community with specialized individual awards.

The 2025 Butler County Tourism Ambassador of the Year award was presented jointly to Todd & Keith Wehr.

The brothers have continued the legacy of their father, Robert Wehr, who opened Bear Run Campground in 1975. They have collaborated with nearby Moraine State Park on events like the Regatta.

Dennis Quigley received the Destination Development Award, recognizing his work advocating for Butler County campgrounds. Quigley transformed Harrisville campground Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Kozy Rest into an award-winning resort that attracts a multitude of families every season.

The EBC scholarship was awarded to Butler County Community College student Mikayla Turner.

Media photos can be accessed via Google Drive. Photo credit Experience Butler County.


2025 Experience Butler County Grant Recipients

  • Burgh Bits and Bites Food Tour
  • Buttercup Woodlands Campground
  • Cranberry Township
  • Glade Run Lake Conservancy
  • Johnny's Distillery
  • Moraine Preservation Fund
  • Moraine State Park Regatta
  • North Country Brewing Co.
  • Pittsburgh Flying Disc
  • Playthings Etc.
  • Studio Z Yoga
  • SurfSUP Adventures
  • The Legendary Neff Haus
  • Zelienople Historical Society

Award Recipients

  • Environmental Excellence Award - RLA Meeting & Conference Facility
  • Rising Star Award - Jacob Hagofsky (Buttercup Campground)
  • Unique Vision Award - Joe Vivirito, Mars Bethel Golf
  • Volunteer of the Year - Adel Fatur
  • Manager of the Year - Hannah Landry, Shubrew Handcrafted Ales & Food
  • Employee of the Year - Scott Summers, Grist House

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