Pulaski County Tourism Receives Virginia Tourism Corporation Recovery Marketing Leverage Grant for Tourism Marketing

Pulaski County Tourism has received $10,000 from the Virginia Tourism Corporation’s (VTC)
Recovery Marketing Leverage Program (RMLP), designed to help local and regional tourism
entities attract more visitors by leveraging limited local marketing dollars through a local match
of the state grants funds.
More than $1.9 million in matching grant funds were awarded to 161 local tourism initiatives
through this program. This funding cycle, local partners will provide more than $5.6 million
in-kind value to match the VTC grants. The grants will ultimately impact 483 statewide tourism
entities.
Pulaski County Tourism will use the VTC Recovery Marketing Leverage grant funds to promote
and launch their summer campaign – Escape to the Mountains.
“We are very excited to kick-off the Pulaski County Tourism Department with this opportunity!
There’s no better place to be then in the mountains of Pulaski County. It’s a safe escape from the
traffic and congestion of urban settings,” said Pulaski County Tourism Director, Peggy White.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on the tourism and hospitality industries
in Virginia. As the Commonwealth slowly reopens for business, VTC offered these grant funds
as a first step to re-entry into the marketplace to spur economic activity and future travel across
the Commonwealth of Virginia.
“Tourism is a crucial section of the Virginia economy and when we invest in this industry, we
support local job creation and drive regional economic growth, which is desperately needed now
due to the pandemic,” said Governor Ralph Northam . “These funds give localities and
businesses access to critical marketing resources that will help bring more travelers to our
Commonwealth, increase visitor spending, and grow demand for Virginia products.”
Tourism is one of the Commonwealth’s largest economic engines, with visitors to Pulaski
County spending more than $62,886,431 in 2019, supporting 636 work opportunities and
contributing $4,500,000 in local and state tax revenue. The tourism and hospitality industries
have also been among the hardest-hit by the pandemic, experiencing decreased revenue and job
loss, along with the temporary closure of many tourism-related businesses. A revived tourism
economy can help spur new economic activity and inject critical funds back into Virginia
communities.
Pulaski County is a charming, community-focused county with abundant amenities, such as deep
agricultural roots, serene countryside, and advanced manufacturing operations. A hidden gem
surrounded by the mountains, Pulaski County has something for every resident and visitor. From
outdoor adventure to local shopping, charm and community lifestyle makes Pulaski County
uniquely special.
About Virginia Tourism Corporation
Virginia Tourism Corporation is the state agency charged with marketing the Commonwealth as
a premier travel and film destination. In 2019, visitors to Virginia spent $27 billion, which
supported 237,000 work opportunities and contributed $1.8 billion in state and local taxes. To
learn more, visit virginia.org

Photo: Pulaski County Tourism Director Peggy White