Kent Accepting Celebrate Kent! Grant Proposals

Several times a year, Kent hosts a series of programs dedicated to attracting unique visitors and entertaining its residents, and this year is no different.

The city is now accepting applications for the 2011 Celebrate Kent! Grant Program. The deadline for applications is May 20.

"Basically, it's an opportunity to enhance the quality of life programs for residents as well as have a positive impact on our business climate," Kent Economic Development Director Dan Smith said. "The goal is to share in the culture, the city's attributes and to bring visitors in to make the cash registers ring."

In the past, grant money has supported the popular Folk Festival, the newly established blues festival and the .

This year the city has between $10,000 and $15,000 available for events. But Kent City Council has made the opportunity available to evaluate additional funding requests, Smith said.

The money is not directly given to the sponsors of the event. Rather, event organizers will be reimbursed after receipts are turned in.

"Last year we had $10,000 to give and we had $40,000 in requests," Smith said. "We awarded nine to 10 groups and the level of funding varies with each group."

Smith is glad the city continues this program because it's a great opportunity to showcase Kent now and also what it will be after the downtown redevelopment efforts are complete.

"I think these types of programs are not only fun, but they produce a positive business climate," Smith said. "We're becoming a destination spot as opposed to a one-stop shopping experience. You can come here and enjoy all of downtown."

City staff in the economic and community development departments will review the applications with city council on June 1 and awards will be announced June 15, Smith said.

For a copy of the application, email Dan Smith at smithd@kent-ohio.org.