Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau director Jack Cohen presents Mike Hall, of General Rental Center, with the Ambassador of the Year award during the Toast to Tourism event Tuesday, May 9, at the Steamfitters event center in Jackson Township. Christine Border/Special to the Eagle

JACKSON TWP — The Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau awarded grants to nine county travel and tourism businesses and organizations at the bureau’s annual Toast to Tourism dinner on Tuesday evening, May 9, at Steamfitters Local 449 event center.

“The purpose of the grant program is to enhance the tourism experience, increase tourism visitation and overnight stays in Butler County,” Jack Cohen, the bureau’s president, said.

The bureau hosts the event annually during National Travel and Tourism Week, which was created by Congress in 1983.

The grants were given out in values up to $5,000 each. Applicants had to be members or partner with a member of the bureau to be eligible for the grants.