The Hometown STARS (Supporting Tourism and Rural Success) matching fund reimbursement program is designed to help rural communities leverage the dollars they have available to promote tourism events, which in turn boosts local economies and attracts new jobs and dollars. The program reimburses GO TEXAN Certified Rural Communities for half of approved promotional costs up to $10,000. Hometown STARS is a matching fund program for communities with experience managing their tourism programs and a budget that will accommodate the matching dollars required.
- Certified communities (i.e., county or city) can submit applications to TDA during specified award rounds.
- Applicants must be a GO TEXAN Certified Rural Community before a Hometown STARS application will be accepted. To apply for membership, please click the link on the sidebar.
The previous round deadlines have changed. These new rounds promise to be competitive, so make sure you get all your information to us on time and pay close attention to the allowable grant timeframes.
Round One
Jan. 15-March 1, 2010
For events taking place May 1, 2010 through August 31, 2011
Round Two
July 15-Sept. 1, 2010
For events taking place Nov. 1, 2010 through August 31, 2011
This program is subject to the availability of state funds. If funds become unavailable during the term of any project, agreements may be reduced or terminated.
Due to the impressive response of applications for finite funding, the Hometown STARS Review Committee will score each application based on the following categories:
- Community Overview
- Event Description
- Marketing Plan and Event Promotion
- Planned Usage of Funds
- Funds' Benefit to Event
- GO TEXAN Promotion
- Regional and Community Partnerships
- Community Impact
- Return on Investment Data Collection Strategy
- Proposed Project and Activity Budget
- Overall Quality of Application
- Previously Funded Projects
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