Local governments in North Carolina will soon be able to apply for funds from a new program designed to support their efforts to attract major events to the State of North Carolina and to their regions.

The Major Events, Games, and Attractions Fund was established by the North Carolina General Assembly to stimulate economic activity by attracting events that can, in turn, attract out-of-state visitors to North Carolina, strengthening the state's travel and tourism industry.

No funds are currently available from the fund and we are not yet accepting applications.  But Proposed Guidelines for the Program are now available, and we are currently seeking your comments on these draft guidelines.  We anticipate the Guidelines will be effective July 1, 2024.

The Commerce Communications Office will provide hard copies of the Guidelines to people requesting them.   You'll find the link to the Electronic copy of the Proposed Guidelines on this page.

Public comments on the Guidelines will be accepted in oral and written form until 5:00 p.m. on June 14, 2024.  Send your written comments to the Commerce Finance Center by mail, addressed to: 

Commerce Finance Center 
N.C. Department of Commerce 
4301 Mail Service Center 
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-4301 

or by hand delivery addressed to: 

Commerce Finance Center 
N.C. Department of Commerce, the New Education Building 
301 North Wilmington Street Raleigh, North Carolina 

or by e-mail delivery to the following address: mpoole@commerce.nc.gov

In addition, you have an opportunity to make oral comments on the proposed Guidelines. The virtual public comment session previously scheduled for June 5, 2024 is rescheduled for June 11, 2024 from 1:00pm to 2:00pm due to technical difficulties. Those who wish to access this session may do so by calling at +1-415-655-0003; access code number 2424 081 9972.