News Flash

Town News Items

Posted on: May 3, 2022

Ashland Awarded Virginia Tourism Grant for “Center Your Universe" Marketing Campaign

Visitors Center sign

The Town of Ashland is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a $20,000 grant from the Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC). The grant will help fund the Town’s “Center Your Universe” marketing and visitor experience campaign expected to launch in 2022 and continue throughout 2023.

As part of the campaign and in partnership with the Downtown Ashland Association and the Ashland Museum, the Town will develop and launch a new interactive visitor app, which will include storytelling and audio tour features, as well as highlight Ashland’s events, restaurants, shops, and hotels to visitors. The app will also give visitors the ability to build custom trip itineraries for their time spent in the Center of the Universe.

“We truly appreciate Virginia Tourism’s investment in Ashland’s growing tourism economy,” said Martha J. Miller, Community Engagement Manager for the Town of Ashland. “These funds will enable us to expand our marketing reach and develop assets in keeping with the interests of the next generation of travelers.”

Amtrak in Downtown Ashland

“Our historic downtown and theatre, variety of annual community events, and strategic location along the I-95 corridor already make Ashland a compelling draw for day-trippers and regional travelers,” Ms. Miller added. “Pair these existing attributes with the forthcoming Mid-Atlantic Railroad Park and future completion of the Fall Line Trail (of which Ashland will serve as its northern trailhead) and I believe we’re looking at a very strong and exciting tourism economy for this community in the future.”

Yesterday, Governor Glenn Youngkin announced that VTC awarded more than $2.7 million for 259 local and regional tourism marketing programs across the state to help increase visitation and revenue for Virginia’s localities through tourism. Within the Town of Ashland and Hanover County, additional grant recipients include Downtown Ashland Association ($5,000), Center of the Universe Brewing Co ($6,700), and Green Top Sporting Goods ($30,000).

“These grant funds provide an important opportunity for communities across the Commonwealth to accelerate recovery efforts and continue with their best-in-class marketing initiatives to attract new travelers,” said Rita McClenny, president and CEO of Virginia Tourism. “Increased visitation translates directly into revenue generation, underscoring tourism’s important role in stimulating economic growth and expansion”

The VTC Regional Marketing Program aims to help Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs), such as the Town of Ashland, drive overnight visitation and to supplement funding for economically significant special events and festivals in order to increase overnight visitation.  The DMO funding is projected to drive more than 125,000 room nights over the next 18 months.

About Virginia Tourism Corporation
Virginia is for Lovers is one of the most iconic and recognizable travel brands in the world. Using that powerful brand equity, Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) is charged with promoting the Commonwealth as a premier travel destination by showcasing all there is to love in a Virginia vacation. The dollars spent by travelers fuel the economy, provide jobs for Virginians, and improve communities across the state. Simply put, tourism helps make Virginia a great place to live, work, and vacation. Learn more at virginia.org.

Facebook Twitter Email

Other News in Town News Items

Photo Contest Graphic

Announcing the "My Ashland" Photo Contest

Posted on: September 14, 2023
hispanic heritage month

Happy National Hispanic Heritage Month!

Posted on: September 13, 2023
KF headshot NYC

Welcome, Kelly Franke!

Posted on: September 12, 2023
Terry Stone

Welcome, Terry Stone!

Posted on: August 9, 2023
Leadership Hanover

Apply Now: Leadership Hanover

Posted on: August 9, 2023
John Hodges

Congratulations, Vice Mayor Hodges!

Posted on: July 26, 2023
TC Candidates

2023 Ashland Town Council Candidates

Posted on: June 29, 2023
Parks and Rec month logo

July is National Parks & Rec Month!

Posted on: June 29, 2023
Pride 2023

Happy Pride Month

Posted on: June 1, 2023
Mulch in wheelbarrow

Springtime Mulching Tips & Tricks

Posted on: March 30, 2023
womens history month graphic

Celebrate Women's History Month

Posted on: February 28, 2023
Owner Jamie Grant

Business Spotlight: FoodiO

Posted on: February 16, 2023
BHM 2023

Celebrate Black History Month

Posted on: February 2, 2023
farmers market survey

Take the Ashland Farmers Market Survey

Posted on: February 2, 2023
around the table-outside

Business Spotlight: Around The Table

Posted on: February 23, 2022
tax papers

APD Crime Prevention Tip: Tax Scams

Posted on: January 12, 2023
snow plow graphic

Name an Ashland Snowplow Contest

Posted on: January 6, 2023
Mayor

Letter from Mayor Trivett: Happy New Year!

Posted on: December 29, 2022
bills

Change to Tax Bill Due Date

Posted on: December 1, 2022
snow plow photo

Be Prepared: Winter Weather Tips

Posted on: November 30, 2022
outside of wagner jewelers

Business Spotlight: Wagner Jewellers

Posted on: November 10, 2022
bobbie carey

Welcome, Bobbie Carey!

Posted on: November 10, 2022
ribbon cutting

Free Wi-Fi Arrives in Downtown Ashland

Posted on: October 26, 2022
woman looking inside a box

Business Spotlight: RED VEIN Escape

Posted on: October 12, 2022
ITL Staff in their office

Business Spotlight: ITL Group

Posted on: September 29, 2022
president and ceo nancy walker

Business Spotlight: McKinney & Company

Posted on: September 14, 2022
koenig offices

Business Spotlight: Koenig Technology

Posted on: August 31, 2022
App Screenshot

Download the Town's New Mobile App

Posted on: August 11, 2022
Bautista family in their restaurant

Business Spotlight: Casa Herradura

Posted on: July 12, 2022
The Boulden family

Meet the Maker: Studley Farms

Posted on: June 1, 2022
fall line logo

The Fall Line Trail & Ashland

Posted on: May 12, 2022
phone

APD Crime Prevention Tip: Phone Scams

Posted on: April 25, 2022
We Think In Ink Sign and owner Chuck

Business Spotlight: We Think In Ink

Posted on: April 14, 2022
photo of Hanover Foils

Business Spotlight: Hanover Foils

Posted on: March 31, 2022
photo of women hiking

How well do you know Ashland's parks?

Posted on: March 29, 2022
photo of man knocking

APD Crime Prevention Tip: Solicitors

Posted on: March 29, 2022
Photo of Lorie Lower

Business Spotlight: Yoga on Center

Posted on: March 8, 2022
Photo of Community Meeting

Community Meetings Recap

Posted on: March 7, 2022
around the table-outside

Business Spotlight: Around The Table

Posted on: February 23, 2022
survey results graphic

And the Surveys Say...

Posted on: February 9, 2022
Talk of the Town

Introducing: "Talk of the Town"

Posted on: January 13, 2022