ZELIENOPLE — The Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau is one of about 160 organizations sponsoring Gov. Tom Wolf’s inauguration celebration tonight in Hershey.

Wolf last week on his inauguration website released a list of organizations that contributed $500 or more to the inaugural committee, which is in charge of organizing the festivities. About 110 businesses and organizations contributed funds, while about 50 contributed products such as food and beverages.

The tourism bureau contributed $2,500. According to the initial list of donors, it was the only tourism agency in the state to do so and the only donor from Butler County.

Jack Cohen, president of the bureau, said Monday evening from Harrisburg as he was planning to attend today’s inauguration that his organization sponsored Wolf’s celebration because of the support Wolf has shown to tourism.

He said the bureau made the contribution from revenue generated from bureau events, such as the Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival. He said the bureau regularly uses those resources to promote tourism in a variety of ways.

While the membership does not vote on contributions such as the inauguration sponsorship, Cohen said the board of directors was aware of the donation.

The organization, which is a nonprofit, also is funded by the county’s hotel tax, membership dues, state tourism matching grants and other cooperative programs.

Cohen said Wolf spent a day at last year’s Jeep festival and has been supportive of tourism.

“We need to establish a great relationship with the governor so he can continue to be good to tourism here and across the state,” Cohen said.

Cohen explained the bureau regularly works with politicians to promote the county.

He said the bureau helped bring former Gov. Tom Corbett, a Republican, to the county for visits and has supported events by state Rep. Brian Ellis, R-11th.

He said the bureau also is in talks to provide satellite office space to state Sen. Elder Vogel, R-47th, and state Rep. Jim Marshall, R-14th.