More than $160,000 in Tourism Reinvestment In Promotion and Product (TRIPP) funds have been awarded to 23 non-profits in the area. The money is distributed by the Tourism Council of Frederick County, and comes from a portion of the hotel and motel tax revenue. The levy took affect in 2004.

The cash is used by the non-profits to support their events and attractions. "By supporting organizations that develop and promote key attractions and overnight stays, the area becomes increasingly more attractive as a destination," says Michael Hennington, Director of Hotel Operations for Plamondon Hospitality Partners, and the chair of the Tourism Council's TRIPP Committee. "The Tourism Council values what these organizations do for our community, and we're committed to helping them enhance their programs, sites and events that attract visitors to Frederick County."

The Tourism Council says the TRIPP program had $185,000 to award, with $165,000 for advertising and product development grants. 37 applications were received from 28 organizations, totaling $331,370.

The TRIPP program has four funding categories: advertising funding, product development grants, group overnight incentive program and the unanticipated opportunity fund.

Among the non-profit organizations which received awards: the National Museum of Civil War Medicine, the Seton Heritage Ministries, the Weinberg Center for the Arts, Frederick Wine Trail, Historical Society of Frederick County, Downtown Frederick Partnership and Frederick Arts Council.

The total amount was $164,550.