NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA — On Tuesday, May 13, the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau (PMVB) announced the recipients of the 2025 PMVB Community Impact Grant, a program created to enhance the quality of life in communities across the region. 

This year, 25 projects are receiving a financial boost totaling $199,862. The projects in the Wayne-Pike area are: 

• $16,000 to the Delaware Highlands Conservancy for a 'preview garden' at the Van Scott Nature Reserve
• $1,750 to the Grey Towers Heritage Foundation for seasonal plants and decorations
• $10,000 to Hawley Borough for borough beautification and park improvements
• $10,000 to Lackawaxen Township for new signage for the municipal building and for Sunrise Park
• $9,000 to Milford Borough for Veterans Memorial Park walkway upgrades
• $4,000 to the Milford Garden Club for Milford beuatifications
• $5,000 to the Pocono Environmental Education Center for new signage, landscaping and outdoor beautification
• $20,000 to the Wayne County Commissioners for the Indian Orchard Lackawaxen boat launch park

The PMVB Community Impact Grant has awarded $1.4 million since 2022, funding 156 projects in Wayne, Pike, Monroe and Carbon counties. The program is funded through hotel ocupancy tax dollars, generated from overnight stays in the Pocono Mountains. 

“The PMVB Community Impact Grant is one of the many ways that tourism gives back in the Pocono Mountains,” said Chris Barrett, President/CEO, Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau. “Utilizing dollars generated from overnight stays, this is a full circle way of saying ‘thank you’ to the local governments and organizations that host our nearly 30 million annual visitors and make the Poconos a great place to live, work, learn, and play.”

Local governments including, but not limited to, boroughs and townships as well as municipal and redevelopment authorities were eligible to apply for funding to support projects that aim to enhance the quality of life in Wayne, Pike, Monroe, and Carbon counties. At least a 50% match was required, with a $20,000 grant cap request.

Once available, information about future rounds of the PMVB Community Impact Grant will be posted at PoconoMountains.com/Grants.