Butler County Tourism Awards Member Grants to Nine Local Businesses

BUTLER COUNTY, PA (May 8, 2023) – Nine Butler County travel and tourism businesses and organizations received grants from the Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau (BCTCB). The winners were announced Tuesday, May 9 at the BCTCB’s annual Toast to Tourism Dinner held at the Steamfitters Local 449 Events Center in Harmony, PA.

“The purpose of the grant program is to enhance the tourism experience, increase tourism visitation and overnight stays in Butler County,” Jack Cohen, President of BCTCB. “Tonight’s nine grant recipients represent a diverse group of Butler County organizations, all of which have the same goal of improving our overall quality of life.”

The grants are awarded on the basis of merit as determined by the Butler County Tourism Foundation and its grant review committee and administered by the board of directors and the president of BCTCB. Thursday’s grants were valued up to $5,000. To be eligible for a grant, all applicants must be members or partner with a member of the Bureau.

Michael Hall, Owner of General Rental Center, was recognized as the 2023 Butler County Tourism Ambassador of the Year.

“Everyone in Butler County and beyond knows that if you are going to host an event of any size, you need to contact Mike and his team at General Rental,” Cohen said. “It’s not because General Rental has everything you need for large festivals and small events – and they do. It’s because Mike makes things happen, with the highest level of customer service. The success of so many Butler County festivals, fairs, regattas, and other events starts with Mike and General Rental.”

The theme of the dinner was “Honoring Tourism & Business,” and Ken DeFurio,President and CEO of Butler Health System, received the Tourism Corporate Champion Award for his dedication to Butler County tourism businesses. Additionally, The Bureau recognized the Pittsburgh Penguins, St. Barnabas Health System, Coherent, and Steamfitters Technology Center Local 449 for their tourism partnerships.

Nathanael Archer, a Food Management, General Studies, student at Butler County Community College, was announced the winner of the Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau Scholarship.

BCTCB hosts its “Toast to Tourism” annually during National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW), which was created by Congress in 1983 to elevate the economic power of travel in the U.S.

2023 Butler County Tourism Foundation Grant Recipients

• Butler Brew Works
• Butler County Airport Authority
• The Disc Golf Doubles Championship
• Mystique Moon Antiques & Artisans
• America 250 Pa: Butler County
• Wagon Wheel Antiques
• Cranberry Township Sunrise Rotary Club
• Surfsup Adventures
• The Atrium