— Information courtesy of Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood
The Granville County Tourism Development Authority will open the spring/summer cycle of its annual mini-grant and sponsorship request program next week sn Sept. 1, 2026.
These programs provide strategic funding opportunities for local organizations, municipalities, and tourism related businesses to develop events, marketing efforts, and long-term projects that attract visitors and strengthen Granville County as a destination.
The mini-grant program supports events and marketing initiatives that bring visitors to Granville County. This program is ideal for festivals, community events, and promotional efforts that encourage both day trips and overnight stays. Organizations and businesses applying for a mini-grant must have been operational and open to the public for a minimum of three years. Funding requests are marketing specific and cannot exceed 25 percent of the overall marketing budget for the event or project.
Eligible events and projects should take place between Jan. 1 and June 30, 2027. The application period runs from Sept. 1 to Oct. 9, 2026, with awards announced in November 2026. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate clear marketing strategies, expected visitor attendance, and overall tourism impact. Projects will be evaluated based on their ability to generate tourism impact, provide community value and contribute to the long-term growth of Granville County as a destination. This program is a part of the annual tourism budget and is funded solely by Granville County occupancy tax revenues.
Two virtual information sessions will be held on Sept. 17 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and Sept. 22 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Contact Granville County Economic Development Program Manager Stephanie Velazquez for more information about the virtual information sessions or the application process at 919.693.5911 or