STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

The Idaho Travel Council has awarded grants to four local Chambers.

The Council awarded $240,000 to the Hailey Chamber of Commerce, $460,000 to the Sun Valley Marketing Alliance, $155,000 to the Stanley-Sawtooth Chamber of Commerce and $29,378 to the Challis Chamber of Commerce.

The Idaho Travel Council granted $10,827,925.27 in tourism marketing funding to nonprofit organizations across the Idaho Regional Travel and Convention Grant Program during its meeting held in Hailey last week.

This is the largest amount awarded in the history of the program.

Grantees use their awarded dollars to promote tourism in cities, towns and regions across the state. The dollars are often used for print and digital advertising, videography, brochures to hand out at travel shows, industry research and website creation.

“Not only will grant dollars help grantees market Idaho as a top travel destination, but also play a key role in promoting tourism and economic development,” said Idaho Commerce Director Tom Kealey. “We thank our travel partners and team members for helping Idaho’s tourism industry achieve yet another record-breaking year.”