Have a project that will enhance, develop, or promote tourism in Hendricks County? Maybe your restaurant needs a fresh website, your event needs better advertising, or you’ve considered an opportunity that will entice visitors into the county, but you need seed money.

Visit Hendricks County can help with its Tourism Enhancement Development (TED) Fund.

Visit Hendricks County has again budgeted $30,000 this year to grant money to worthy projects. Half of that amount will be awarded this spring; the other half will be awarded in the fall. Successful beneficiaries from past TED Funds include Ride Hendricks County, Festival of the Arts, Hendricks Symphonic Society, and many more.

In its fifth year, Visit Hendricks County’s TED Fund has provided hundreds of thousands of dollars to various organizations and causes to sustain and promote Hendricks County as a tourism destination.

“Each year, the projects requesting TED Fund dollars continue to get better, and we’re excited to see what this year brings,” said Sarah McMillen, director of marketing for Visit Hendricks County. “We enjoy providing a little financial boost to organizations and individuals with great ideas.”

The spring cycle’s application deadline is 5 p.m. April 26 at the Visit Hendricks County offices in Danville. The money will be best utilized for projects planned for late summer of this year to spring of 2014, as the grants won’t be awarded until late May. Applicants can apply for a 1:1 match with Visit Hendricks County contributing a maximum of $2,500 a project.

Tourism businesses, non-profits, civic organizations, and retail development groups are encouraged to apply for funding through the program. Only businesses, events, and entities located in Hendricks County are eligible.

Worthy projects should initiate, enhance, develop, and promote tourism in Hendricks County through advertising, promotions, and publicity. Special projects such as research and development with potential for long-term benefits will be considered. Projects involving capital investment, operating costs, fireworks displays, food and drink, or staff salaries aren’t eligible.

Qualifying projects and events should have a direct impact on the county by attracting out-of-county visitors, increasing visitation, and bringing in new money. High consideration will be given to applicants requesting funding for projects that will either generate a new overnight stay or extend the stay in a Hendricks County overnight accommodation property.

Visit Hendricks County will hold a grant information session next month for entities interested in applying for funding. Applicants are strongly encouraged to attend the workshop offered to review the process and assist with developing the entity’s grant application. That TED Fund information session will be 4 p.m. April 2 at the Visit Hendricks County office, 8 W. Main St., Danville. Reservations are requested to attend the session, as space is limited. Call 718-8750 to make a reservation.

Applications and information sheets regarding the TED Fund are available now by stopping by the office in person or going online in the Pressroom under Grants and Scholarships at www.TourHendricksCounty.com. For more information on the program, contact McMillen by calling 718-8750 or by e-mailing to Sarah@TourHendricksCounty.com.