THE DAYS ARE getting longer, the flowers are starting to bloom and in a sure sign of the approaching summer, Ocean County is awarding its annual tourism grants.

"This year we awarded $107,739 in grants to 24 nonprofit organizations that are hosting tourism-related events in the coming months," said Joseph H. Vicari, Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners.

Grants range from $150 to $9,000 and will help promote a variety of events, from local theater to farmer's markets to the annual Ocean County fair.

"I like to think of this as a rite of spring," said Vicari, liaison to the Ocean County Tourism Business Advisory Council. "These grants represent a long-standing commitment by this Board of Commissioners to our vitally important tourism industry."

Tourism contributes more than $7 billion to the county's economy, he said.

"These grants don't only promote these individual events, but are an investment in the local economy," Vicari said.

Grant applications were thoroughly reviewed by the Tourism Business Advisory Council and formally presented to the Board of Commissioners at its March 29 pre-board meeting.

The Commissioners finalized the grant awards at their April 5 regular meeting.

Grant money may be used for promotions ranging from printing and advertising to television ads, web page development and promotional tee shirts.

Organizations awarded a grant must include the county tourism seal and web site address on its promotional items.

"By including this information, every event helps promote all of our other events," Vicari said.

Grants are based on several criteria including: how the program integrates into the overall county tourism program; applicant's prior performance; ability of program to attract tourists; quality of the program; scope and size of the program; the creativity of the program, and the incorporation of county tourism information.

Vicari said the grant money is not limited to summer events.

"Ocean County has become a year-round destination and our grants reflect this," he said. "Tourism is no longer confined to the months of May through September."