USDOC Announces Market Development Grant Award Competition Details

. April 09, 2009

WASHINGTON, DC, April 9, 2009 - On April 7, 2009 the U.S. Department of Commerce published in the Federal Register the announcement for this year's Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP) grant award competition. This year, the applications will be due on June 2, 2009. For further information on the schedule, how to apply, helpful links, or for an application, please visit the MDCP website at: http://www.ita.doc.gov/mdcp/.

Public Meeting and Conference Call for Potential Applicants: April 22

The meeting will begin at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time and run for 60 to 90 minutes. The presentation content will be similar to that covered during the January 27, February 18 and April 2 conference calls. The basic elements of the program will be discussed and DOC personnel will respond to questions about application preparation. DOC cannot comment on the merits of project ideas presented during this meeting. Your participation is encouraged. For more information on this meeting, please refer to the MDCP website.

Dial-in Instructions for April 22 Conference Call

Dial 800-369-2192. Passcode: 39180. Leader's name: Latonya Milstead.

Applications from travel and tourism entities will be in competition with all other sectors of the U.S. economy for MDCP grant monies. On the MDCP web site pages, past award winners are announced, and there are numerous links that provide detailed information to assist you in the development of your proposal. The travel and tourism industry has had several previous grants awards: Travel South USA, Los Angeles Convention & Visitors Bureau, Western States Tourism Policy Council, and Mountain South, USA.

The Office of Travel and Tourism Industries and the U.S. Commercial Service are available for limited background-related assistance with market background and plan suggestions for this grant, as long as it is within the official MDCP guidelines. You are encouraged to use these resources to show the public/private partnership links. When developing your proposals, please visit the ITA web sites as well. OTTI suggests that you review the Commerce resources available to assist you in the market when applying for a Commerce grant. You can visit:

http://tinet.ita.doc.gov/

http://trade.gov/cs/

http://www.buyusa.gov/eme/tra.html

http://www.trade.gov/mas/

http://www.ita.doc.gov

For Further Information Contact:

Brad Hess, Manager

Market Development Cooperator Program

U.S. Department of Commerce

14th & Constitution Ave. N.W., Room 3209

Washington, DC 20230

Telephone: (202) 482-2969