Harford County Executive Barry Glassman has awarded $1.3 million in grants to 23 nonprofits to spur tourism-related activities in the county.  As announced in a county news release:

“I am pleased to reinvest revenue from our hotel lodging fee to advance Harford County as a tourism destination,” said County Executive Barry Glassman. “Our competitive grant process provides accountability for how funds are used; at the same time we assist nonprofits in developing attractive tourism-related programs and activities for citizens and guests to enjoy. Indirectly, this funding will also help local shops, restaurants and other businesses that thrive when visitors come to town.”Funding for the grants is being generated through a 6% hotel lodging fee initiated by the
Glassman administration and approved by the Harford County Council in January.
Application of the fee began on March 25, 2015. The last jurisdiction in the state to implement such a fee, Harford County will use the funds explicitly for tourism-related operations and events.