Shelbyville, KY (October 2025) – ShelbyKY Tourism has announced the recipients of its 2025 Marketing Grant program, with nearly $100,000 in grant funds to support the marketing efforts of local organizations, events, and small businesses that are working to make Shelby County a must-visit destination in Kentucky.

From outdoor adventure sites and local boutiques to well-loved restaurants and cultural attractions, the program invests in projects that celebrate ShelbyKY’s authentic character and invite visitors to experience the community in new ways. Grant recipients will use the funds for approved tourism-related expenses, such as marketing, promotion, and visitor experience improvements, and will showcase the ShelbyKY Tourism brand in funded activities.

“This program is one of the most important ways we can directly support the partners who create the experiences that bring people to Shelby County,” said Janette Marson, President & CEO of ShelbyKY Tourism. “These grants reflect not just financial support, but our belief in the power of local businesses, nonprofits, and community groups to drive tourism and economic growth.”

The 2025 grant recipients are:

  • ArtSpark Productions – $4,000
  • B&N Food Market – $7,500
  • Bagdad Farmers Market – $5,250
  • HorseSensing – $6,000
  • Little Mount Lavender – $5,000
  • Pineapple Paisley Boutique – $10,000
  • Red Fern Riding Center – $10,000
  • Shelby County Chamber of Commerce – $5,000
  • Shelby County Community Theatre – $6,638
  • Shelby County Historical Society – $7,500
  • Shelby Main Street – $5,000
  • The Harbison House short-term rental – $8,550
  • Wakefield-Scearce Gallery – $9,000
  • West Meadow Farm – $5,000

Total grants awarded – $94,438

Together, these organizations will use the funds to expand tourism programming, market new experiences, and make Shelby County more welcoming for visitors. ShelbyKY Tourism emphasized that the program isn’t just about supporting one-time events but about building long-term tourism capacity. “Every one of these projects is a building block in telling our story as the Saddlebred Horse Capital of the World™ and Your Bourbon Destination®,” added Marson.

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About ShelbyKY — ShelbyKY (Shelbyville, Simpsonville and Shelby County) is Your Bourbon Destination. Home to two distilleries, Bulleit Distillery and Jeptha Creed Distillery, and located on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®, ShelbyKY offers an array of bourbon-centric lodging, shopping, and dining. ShelbyKY is perfectly positioned for easy access to Louisville, Lexington, and Northern Kentucky. Pair dining at classic favorites like Claudia Sanders Restaurant and local staple Bell House Restaurant with Kentucky’s only designer outlet mall, and there’s much to see, do, and taste in ShelbyKY. Home to 90-plus Saddlebred horse farms, ShelbyKY offers a rare peek into the world of the Saddlebred show horse and is known as the Saddlebred Horse Capital of the World. Outdoor adventures await those who enjoy fishing, canoeing, horseback riding, and golf. We invite you to follow @visit_shelbyky on Instagram and @visitshelbyky on Facebook and learn more about ShelbyKY at www.visitshelbyky.com.

Media contact - Debra Locker Group: Debra@DebraLockerGroup.com and 859.536.0282