In an effort to encourage appealing events in the off-season, Visit Sarasota County will offer grants of up to $10,000 for projects that can stimulate tourism in the region.

“We have a committee that comes together on the grants,” says Lynn Hobeck Bates, communications manager for Visit Sarasota County.

Last year, grant recipients included off-season events like Sarasota Architectural Foundation’s MOD weekend, Siesta Beach Festival’s Crystal Classic, Florida West Coast Symphony’s Sarasota Music Festival 2016 and the Suncoast Foundation for Handicapped Children’s Suncoast BBQ & Bluegrass Bash, as well as projects like the Walker Guest House Replica and Senior Friendship Center’s Rhose Scholar Advertising.

Visit Sarasota County officials say the intent of the grants is to help get projects off the ground and to expand ongoing projects to the point where they can succeed without financial assistance.