Tourism Marketing Grant Program
Overview
The Gilmer Chamber Tourism Marketing Grant Program was established under O.C.G.A § 48-13-51(b). This program is administered by the Gilmer Chamber and its designated advisory group, the Tourism Grant Committee. The Committee includes Chamber staff, representatives from Ellijay, East Ellijay, and County Commissioners. The Chamber oversees the funds collected from transient lodging taxes (TLT) assessed to hotels, motels, and other lodging establishments in the City of Ellijay, the City of East Ellijay, and Gilmer County.
These funds are awarded via the Tourism Marketing Grant Program (TMGP), which is intended to support marketing expenses for local nonprofits that produce events and programs designed to attract overnight visitors to Gilmer County.
By following these guidelines, applicants can ensure that their application for the Tourism Marketing Grant is complete and meets all necessary requirements. For additional questions, please contact Gilmer Chamber Communications Manager, Nohemi Reynoso, at nohemir@gilmerchamber.com or 706-635-7400.
2026 Grant Timeline
| Process | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications Available | January 22, 2026 |
| Complete Post-Event Report | 60 Days After Event Completion |
| Funds Sent To Applicant | Following Approval of Post-Event Report |
2026 Peak Visitor Periods
Funding will not be considered for events that occur during the following Peak Visitor Periods:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| May 23 – 25, 2026 | Memorial Day Weekend |
| July 4 – 6, 2026 | Independence Day Weekend |
| September 5 – 7, 2026 | Labor Day Weekend |
| November 26 – 29, 2026 | Thanksgiving Weekend |
| December 21 – 27, 2026 | Christmas Week |
Forms & Resources
Forms & Resources for Applicants
Logos
To comply with the Marketing Grant Guidelines, the Pick Ellijay logo and PickEllijay.com URL must be included in all grant-funded promotional materials (printed and online). View and download the available Pick Ellijay logos by following the link below.
Application
The Tourism Marketing Grant Application is now available. Apply now!
Post-Event Report
As outlined in the Tourism Marketing Grant Guidelines, a post-event report must be submitted within 60 days of event completion. Please note that funds will be reimbursed for eligible expenses only after the post-event report has been reviewed and approved.
Please Note: Grant funds will be distributed in priority order of approval of grant applications. Funds will be disbursed as revenue from hotel/motel tax is received by the County. Therefore, there might be a brief delay between when applicants are notified of their grant awards and when funds are distributed. The Gilmer Chamber and the Tourism Marketing Grant Committee are dedicated to supporting local events through our grant programs but reserve the right to reject applications if they do not adhere to the application guidelines, fail to meet eligibility requirements, or if the requested costs are deemed excessive for the completion of the project.