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2014 Session

Budget Amendments - HB30 (Member Request)

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Chief Patron: Peace
Cooperative Grant Fund for Tourism and Heritage Sites (language only)

Item 468 #4h

Item 468 #4h

Central Appropriations
Central Appropriations

Language
Page 407, strike lines 16 through 44 and insert:
"I. Out of this appropriation, $11,000,000 the first year from the general fund shall be provided to support a competitive grant fund established to support regional tourism and economic development projects in the Richmond region.  All eligible projects shall have a nexus to preservation and interpretation of heritage sites, including, but not limited to, those honoring the heritage of African Americans,  Virginia Indians, and the contributions of women to Virginia's history.  Grant applications shall be submitted to the Virginia Tourism Authority.  Eligible applicants are limited to governmental entities or nonprofit organizations.  All applicants must have available a 50 percent match for any requested grant to be eligible for consideration.  The Virginia Tourism Authority may establish additional procedures for the submission and evaluation of proposals and such procedures shall be made available by August 1, 2014.  The Authority shall report to the Chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees no later than November 15, 2014, on the applications it has received and include its recommendations on grant amounts it would propose making to any eligible applicant prior to awarding any funds."


Explanation
(This amendment establishes a competitive grant fund to contribute to capital projects which support regional tourism and economic development. Projects are required to have a nexus with preservation and interpretation of heritage sites, including, but not limited to, those honoring the heritage of African Americans, Virginia Indians, and the contributions of women in Virginia history. Project applications must be submitted to the Virginia Tourism Authority and the requestor must be either a governmental entity or a nonprofit organization. Each grant requires a match of at least 50 percent. An audit of all funds awarded and used for projects will be required.)