HIRTA receives tourism grant for Beyond the Bus event in October

HIRTA was awarded a $925 tourism grant from the Newton City Council for its Beyond the Bus event coming up in October. The nonprofit organization’s request for a Newton Hotel-Motel Tourism Grant was approved in a unanimous vote by council members during their April 15 meeting at city hall.

According to HIRTA’s website, Beyond the Bus focuses on the current challenges public transit is facing and how service agencies can help improve transit in their communities. Attendees of the event learn about volunteer programs, benefits and recruitment strategies, as well as tips on how to advocate for public transit.

Brooke Ramsey, business development manager for HIRTA, explained in the grant application that this year’s event will focus on mobility solutions, such as enhancing access, sustainability and resilience. Rural communities, she said, face unique transportation challenges which can impact many things.

From access to essential services, economic opportunities and overall quality of life, these hurdles pose real problems for rural customers of public transit. Beyond the Bus will explore strategies to address these challenges to improve rural mobility by bringing together experts and leaders to share experiences.

The event registration will go out nationally, although there are limited registration based on the facility’s capacity. HIRTA has reserved a number of hotel rooms for the event and will be working with the Newton Chamber to highlight local businesses, places to visit and things to see while attendees are in town.

The Newton Hotel-Motel Tourism Grant Program is a way for the city to fund numerous community projects, special events and initiatives through Local Hotel-Motel Tax. The purpose is to encourage the development, continuation and promotion of events that attract visitors from outside of Newton.

Application deadlines are October 1 and April 1 of each calendar year. Grant amounts may range from $500 to $2,500 and should represent 25 percent of the total project budget. All applicants have to meet with community development staff prior to submitting an application.

HIRTA is a public transit system that has been providing services to Jasper, Boone, Dallas, Madison, Marion, Story and Warren Counties since 1981.