Shelbyville, KY (July 23, 2025) — ShelbyKY Tourism is thrilled to announce the launch of a new marketing grant program aimed at supporting tourism-related businesses and nonprofits throughout Shelby County. The initiative will distribute up to $100,000 in grant funding during the 2025–2026 fiscal year, with individual applicants eligible for awards of up to $10,000 to help with advertising, branding, and other marketing efforts that attract out-of-county visitors.
“This is one of the most direct ways we can reinvest in the local tourism economy,” said Janette Marson, ShelbyKY Tourism President & CEO. “At ShelbyKY Tourism, we run national advertising campaigns featuring our partners, and we are always looking for opportunities to support them. This grant program provides another way for our partners to promote themselves to regional and national audiences, expanding their reach and enhancing the profile of Shelby County, Kentucky, as a must-visit destination.”
The grant program is available to qualifying businesses and nonprofits operating within Shelby County that directly serve visitors, such as event venues, attractions, museums, galleries, tour companies, and similar entities. Applicants must show how their proposed marketing efforts will reach audiences at least 50 miles outside the county.
Funds may be used for expenses such as digital advertising campaigns, print collateral, website development, public relations, and photography or video production. Funds cannot be used for capital expenses, salaries, or in-destination events.
Applications are due by 5:00 PM on August 29, 2025, and grant recipients will be notified by September 24, 2025. All marketing efforts must be completed by April 30, 2026.
To learn more or apply, visit www.VisitShelbyKY.com/grant or contact ShelbyKY Tourism at (502) 633-6388.
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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.
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