The NSW Government today (Dec 1) announced $412,000 in support for 20 regional events to be held across the State next year.

Minister for Tourism Jodi McKay said the events will receive the funding under the 2010 Regional Flagship Events Program which offers one-year grants of $10,000 or grants of $20,000 each year for three years.

Regional events such as the annual CountryLink Parkes Elvis Festival provide a boost to regional NSW economies

“The Regional Flagship Event Program is a great initiative that raises the profile of regional destinations and gives visitors even more reasons to spend time in regional NSW,” she said. “The NSW Government is committed to supporting events that create local jobs and provide a boost to regional economies.

“The events supported under the program are run by the local community and involve local producers, artists, craftspeople, sportspeople and musicians.”

McKay said that in addition to the $250,000 in direct grant funding, the NSW Government will also contribute $162,000 towards print and online promotion of the events.

In the year ending 30 June 2009, Regional NSW received almost 46 million international and domestic visitors who stayed 66.5 million nights and injected $11.2 billion into regional economies.
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There’s always something to see in Regional NSW with a diversity of events ranging from food and wine festivals and country shows, to street parades and music concerts,” McKay said.

“The Regional Flagship Event Program gives communities across NSW the resources to market and promote their event to a wider audience than would otherwise be possible. These events attract thousands of visitors each year and reflect the identity and unique character of each region.”

For more information on the 2010 Regional Flagship Events Program click here.