The Wood County Economic Development Commission (WCEDC), formerly the Wood County Industrial Commission, has awarded Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) grant applications totaling $75,350.

Ten Lake Fork fishing tournaments received $45,150 while six Mineola area events got a total of $16,200 and four Winnsboro events garnered $8,500.  

Alba received a pair of $500 grants for the Alba Fall Festival and the Food Pantry/Car Show.  The Hawkins Oil Festival received a $500 grant. The Wood County Old Settlers Reunion Association was the only Quitman area event and they were awarded $4,000. 

The Mineola Chamber of Commerce received funds for the following three events: Fiesta Days, $1,500; Building/Operations, $1,200; and Iron Horse Heritage Festival $2,500. The Mineola Economic Development Corporation also received three grants with those being $3,000 for the Iron Horse Square Project; $3,000 for Lake Country Trails; and $5,000 for the Hometown Hang.

Winnsboro projects receiving funds are: Winnsboro Center for the Arts, poetry and trail rides $1,000; Winnsboro Rodeo Association, annual rodeo $1,000; Autumn Trails Association, Annual Autumn Trails $3,500; and the Four Corners Foundation, Wine/Art Festival $3,000.

The Lake Fork fishing tournaments receiving money are: Lake Fork Chamber of Commerce $5,000 for the annual high school fishing tournament; Patriot Sporting Challenge $1,000; Skeeter Products $7,500; Bass Champs $10,000; Texas Team Trail $$2,000; Yantis Catfish Classic $4,900; Legends of Lake Fork $5,000; Sealy Outdoors (Big Bass splash) $7,500; Hobie (kayaking fishing tournament) $750; and Bass on the Fly $1,500.

“These HOT funds promote tourism and events in the hotel lodging industry in Wood County. These dollars go toward events promoting heads in beds. They are used to draw out of town visitors to Wood County,” WCEDC Executive Director Kiki Bettis noted. “These funds come from unincorporated lodging establishments in the county.“ 

HOT funds collected from lodging establishments within city limits go directly to each individual city who then decide what to do with the money collected.  

Cities in Wood County contribute money to the commission according to their population. Mineola paid in $7,088.55, Winnsboro $5,391, Quitman $3,187.10, Hawkins $2,006.46, Alba $791.28 and Yantis $609.16.