Madison County Tourism Development Authority Info
The Madison County Tourism Development Authority (TDA) plays a vital role in helping our community thrive by supporting tourism-related growth across the county. Through strategic investments in marketing, events, and infrastructure, the TDA works to attract visitors who fuel our local economy, supporting small businesses, restaurants, lodging, and outdoor recreation. Every ad campaign, photo shoot, and event promotion helps showcase the authentic Appalachian beauty and welcoming spirit that make Madison County such a special place to visit.
Beyond marketing, the TDA invests directly back into the community through grants to nonprofits, towns, and organizations that enhance the visitor experience. From supporting festivals and trails to funding beautification projects and cultural programs, these grants ensure that both residents and guests enjoy the best our mountain towns have to offer. By channeling tourism dollars into meaningful local projects, the Madison County TDA helps sustain jobs, preserve natural and cultural resources, and strengthen the fabric of our community.
Through thoughtful collaboration and reinvestment, the TDA ensures that tourism in Madison County benefits everyone. This ongoing effort builds a brighter, more vibrant future where visitors are inspired to return and locals are proud to call this place home.
Grants approved by the TDA may be used only for:
- Tourism-related advertising and promotion, and
- Tourism-related expenditures that:
- Promote travel to the county, and
- Are reasonably expected to increase overnight visitation
In 2026, the TDA will be meeting on February 10, April 14, June 9, August 11, October 13 and December 8. During this time, tourism-related grants can be approved and distributed. TDA Board meetings are held at the Madison County Extension Office or AB Tech Madison at 6pm. Location is subject to change, if you are a member of the public and would like to attend please reach out to Bill.Downey@visitmadisoncounty.com to confirm location.
Grants are not guaranteed to applicants and the Board may grant partial funds to any given application. *All grant applications must be received at least 14 days prior to upcoming meeting in order to be considered.*
Current TDA Board: Alan Wyatt, Bill Zink, Jackie Ball, Laura Ponder-Smith, Pete Dixon, Jackie Jolley, Aaron Haynie, Pam Clark, Genia Peterson, Robin Reeves and Abby Norton.
Staff: Bill Downey (Administrator)
Please submit all grant application requests and/or questions to Bill.Downey@visitmadisoncounty.com. All grant requests must be submitted at least 14 days before the upcoming tourism meeting.
TDA MEETING DATES AND DEADLINES
- August 11 Meeting | Grant Requests due July 28
- October 13 Meeting | Grant Requests due September 29
- December 8 Meeting | Grant Requests due November 24
Additional Terms and Conditions
As a condition of receiving funds from the MCTDA, recipient agrees to fully indemnify and hold harmless the MCTDA and Madison County, and its officers, officials, directors, elected officials, agents, employees, board members, sponsoring agencies, advertisers, and volunteers from and against any and all claims, demands, payments, suits, actions, costs, recoveries and judgments of every kind and description brought out of or occurring in connection with, directly or indirectly, activities funded in part or in whole with funds made available under this project.
The MCTDA is in no way responsible for the administration and supervision of the recipient, its officers, employees, and agents which persons it is agreed are not officers, employees, or agents of the MCTDA. It is expressly understood and agreed by the MCTDA and the recipient nothing contained in this application or any related project funding materials be construed to create a joint venture, partnership, associate, or other affiliation or like relationship between the parties, it being specifically agreed the relationship is and shall remain that of independent parties to a contractual relationship as set forth in this application.
Recipient shall report in writing to the MCTDA any known actual, potential, apparent, or perceived conflicts of interest between it and the MCTDA prior to or at the same time as the application.
This application and related project funding materials constitute the sole and entire agreement between and among the MCTDA and recipient with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all agreements and understandings among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof made prior to the submittal of an application. There are no representations, warranties, understandings or agreements relating to the subject matter hereof which are not fully expressed in the application. No amendment, modification, waiver or discharge of the application shall be valid unless in writing and signed by an authorized representative of the party against whom such amendment, modification, waiver or discharge is sought to be enforced.
*Note that the application and any other information submitted before or after the review process is considered public record.*