HUDSON – In an effort to combat the challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the Town of Hudson is seeking state grant funding to bolster travel and tourism.
The Select Board voted on Monday to authorize the town to apply for that grant funding through the Massachusetts Travel and Tourism Recovery Program.
That pilot program, which began last year, has awarded over $1.5 million to 59 organizations, municipalities and chambers of commerce to alleviate the financial challenges from the coronavirus pandemic.
Grant would help fund marketing video
Last year, the Town of Hudson received $8,367 for the downtown Hudson Wayfinding Program, where 15 signs were to be placed in strategic locations in the Downtown.
The installation contract was approved in a unanimous vote by the Select Board on July 12, 2021. Sign Logic, which is based in Hudson, is spearheading the project.
Through this grant application, Hudson is seeking funding to hire a professional videographer or media specialist to create a marketing video of the Downtown area. It would do this in collaboration with the Downtown Business Improvement District (BID).
“It is our goal to have this video be used for social media promotion and advertising on radio and television—similar to the Marlborough Economic Development Corporation,” Executive Assistant Thomas Gregory wrote in a memo to the Select Board.
Contacted by the Community Advocate, Director of Planning and Community Development Kristina Johnson said the town is still awaiting quotes from a local videographer to determine the size of the actual grant request.
Total grant requests must not exceed $150,000 between the 2021 and 2022 fiscal years according to a document outlining application guidelines.
Hudson celebrates strength of downtown
This effort comes as Hudson celebrates its recent recognition as the winner of the national America’s Main Street competition.
Hudson secured that honor last month, business leaders later noting ongoing work to promote and enrich the downtown area.
“Hudson has weathered the storm of COVID probably better than other communities,” BID Administrator Richard Braga said. “We lost a few businesses, but we’ve attracted just as many back. The word is out there that we have a good Main Street and a support system for our businesses.”
