The $20,000 in grants that the Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau is offering to member businesses provides a different kind of worthy opportunity for those that are successful in obtaining them.

The goal of the grants, which have a limit of $5,000, is to boost cooperation between businesses. Currently, the bureau has about 140 members.

While obviously not all member businesses will receive or want to apply for a grant, those that do will have an extra opportunity to showcase themselves and maybe introduce some new people to this county. As was explained in a Butler Eagle story on July 30, an example of how the money could be used would be for a theater and a hotel teaming up to offer a show and banquet.

According to the bureau, the categories for use of the money include marketing and advertising programs, capital projects and creative projects. The bureau hopes that the opportunities that the grants provide will be an incentive for other businesses to join the bureau.

While to some people $20,000 might not seem like much money for the range of ideas possible, the grants can nevertheless plant a seed for business cooperation outside the grant process.

This new grant program should be regarded as a welcome addition to the work and opportunities that make up the bureau's mission.