LOGGING ON. The Wisconsin Logging Museum in Carson Park was a recent recipient of a grant from Visit Eau Claire.

Visit Eau Claire, the local tourism promotion agency, has announced it will give nearly $150,000 in grants and sponsorship funding to a range of organizations and events, from jazz bands to ball clubs.

Grant applications were accepted in April, and $81,700 in grants were awarded in late May. According to Visit Eau Claire, tourism grants are “intended to encourage tourism development and promotion through events that will generate overnight stays and/or extend visitor stays while creating a positive image of the Eau Claire area.”

Tourism Grant recipients include C&G Promotions, Chippewa Valley Jazz Orchestra, CORBA Trails, CW Group, Eau Claire Marathon, GameDay Athletics, Performance Promotions Group, Reel Recovery - Midwest Retreat, Seymour Ball Club, Wisconsin Logging Museum, and YMCA of The Chippewa Valley Barracudas Swim Team.

Likewise, Cultural Arts grants, which are awarded in collaboration with the Wisconsin Arts Board, “are intended to enhance the enjoyment and understanding of arts and culture in the region.” The latest round of recipients of these grants include the Chippewa Valley Book Festival, Chippewa Valley Museum, Chippewa Valley Writers Guild, Eau Claire Area Hmong Mutual Assistance Association, Eau Claire International Film Festival, L’Eau Claire Jazz Society, and the NHS Show Choir Booster Club.

An additional $64,000 in sponsorship funding was provided to nine area organizations and events. These include Banbury Place Inc., the City of Altoona, Hmong American Leadership & Economic Development (HALED), Eau Claire Babe Ruth League Inc., Eau Claire Curling Club, John and Fay Menard YMCA Tennis Center, Sculpture Tour Eau Claire, Trinity Equestrian Center, and the Wisconsin Airport Management Association.

Learn more about visiteauclaire.com.