HomeMy WebLinkAbout4.1a Recovery Grant Memo
TO: Board of Directors, Cottage Grove Convention and Visitors Bureau
FROM: Julie Prior-Miller, Marketing and Communications Specialist
DATE: November 19, 2021
RE: Explore Minnesota FY2022 Recovery Grant Program
Background
The FY2022 Recovery Grant Program is funded by a one-time $750,000 appropriation from the
Minnesota Legislature and is administered by Explore Minnesota for the purpose of aiding
immediate economic recovery of Minnesota’s tourism industry. Pursuant to the legislative
language, this program specifically supports needs in the areas of general tourism marketing,
meetings and conventions sales and support, and marketing and operations of returning and new
events.
Discussion
On September 15, 2021 the Bureau submitted a request for $10,000 for assistance through the
Explore Minnesota FY2022 Recovery Grant Program. This grant does not require matching
funds. September 27, 2021 we received word that the grant request was accepted. Based on
the details of the agreement we have until August 15, 2022 to submit any expenses that were
incurred based on our submission.
Taking into consideration the marketing/advertising grant eligible projects, a list of items was put
together on the proposed marketing expenses to submit for reimbursement through the grant:
1. $1,000 – Production of photo & video assets by a vendor(s)
2. $1,700 – Media production, ad creation, graphic design services by a vendor(s)
3. $3,000 – Social media management through a vendor(s)
4. $3,000 – Google Adwords and Search Engine Marketing (SEM); including vendor fees, if
applicable
5. $460 – Visitor’s guide development and production
6. $360 – Stock photography
7. $480 – Digital publishing platform
Total reimbursement costs will be $10,000 if all funds are used. Explore Minnesota will request
a progress report on April 1, 2022 asking for the status of grant funding expenditures, project
planning, and/or reconciliation status. Progress reports must be returned to Explore Minnesota
by April 15, 2022. Reconciliation and Reimbursement Requests can be submitted at any time
during the program by no later than August 15, 2022. Per grant guidelines, all invoices must be
submitted on the same Request for Reimbursement and 30 days are allowed to Explore
Minnesota for reconciliation, processing, and receipt of funds. The revenue from the grant will
Board of Directors, Cottage Grove Convention and Visitors Bureau
November 19, 2021
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be applied to the 3rd quarter of the Visitor’s Bureau 2022 budget and the expenses will hit in the
1st and 2nd quarters of 2022.
Recommendation
Accept grant award of $10,000 from the Explore Minnesota FY2022 Recovery Grant Program.
Attachments
1. Grant Application for Explore Minnesota FY2022 Recovery Grant Program
2. Grant Contract for Explore Minnesota FY2022 Recovery Grant Program
3. Grant Guidelines for Explore Minnesota FY2022 Recovery Grant Program