Six community projects in Carbon County will share in $23,000 worth of grants from the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau.

PMVB recently awarded its first-ever Community Impact Grants, funded through Hotel Occupancy taxes.

“Our goal is to give back our local governments and organizations that do so much for residents as well as the nearly 30 million guests who visit the Pocono Mountains each year,” said Chris Barrett, president and CEO of the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau.

A total of $292,055 went to 24 projects in Carbon Monroe, Pike and Wayne counties.

Local projects include improved parking at the Jim Thorpe Memorial, improving Palmerton’s Third Street basketball court, adding lights to trees on Lehighton’s First Street, and playground equipment in Bowmanstown.

In addition, the Pleasant Valley FBLA received $10,000 to fund a trip to a national leadership conference.

PMVB said it wanted to fund projects with a lasting impact that would improve the quality of life in the four counties. Grant recipients had to provide a 50 percent match.

Carbon County has a 3 percent tax on all hotel rooms and businesses offering temporary lodging stays under 30 days. In 2021, the county collected more than $1.5 million in hotel taxes, with PMVB receiving the majority. Monroe, Pike and Wayne also have hotel taxes.

State law requires that money raised from hotel taxes goes toward promoting tourism.

PMVB also has a separate program where nonprofits can receive funds to help promote tourism events in the area.

Community impact grants received by Carbon County:

Jim Thorpe Borough, $9,000 to improve parking at the Jim Thorpe Memorial;

Palmerton, $7,300 for the Third Street basketball court and borough entrances;

Lehighton Downtown Partnership, $5,000 to add lighting to trees on First Street;

Bowmanstown, $1,600 for playground equipment;

Lansford Alive, $280 for beautification.