City receives tourism relief program grant

Norton has received $10,000 from the Virginia Tourism Corporation’s WanderLove Recovery Grant Program, according to a Thursday press release.

The new grants are made available to Virginia’s destination marketing organizations that have been heavily impacted by the novel coronavirus pandemic to fund recovery marketing initiatives.

Norton will use the grant funds to produce advertisements and marketing materials to promote outdoor recreation and cultural attractions in Norton and the surrounding High Knob region.

As part of this campaign, the city will create a series of road trip itineraries to encourage visitors and residents to explore the region. The city will also work with regional media outlets to produce promotional advertisements and digital content to promote Get Outside in Norton WanderLove Road Trips.

“We are grateful to be one of the 90 DMOs to receive a WanderLove Recovery grant and are excited about this campaign and the opportunity to create unique outdoor adventures for visitors and residents to explore when they feel comfortable traveling again,” said city Special Projects Coordinator Katie Dunn. “We think this campaign will serve as a great way to introduce first-time visitors to Norton and the High Knob region, as well as serve as an opportunity to help our residents reconnect with where they live.”