The Boonville Tourism Committee on Wednesday night approved $25,000 in grant funding for use next year by mid-Missouri individuals and organizations. It also approved thousands of dollars in additional funds that will be taken out of tourism’s 2009 budget.

While the committee offered fewer funds than requested to many of those seeking financial support, members stressed that their goal is to support successful events and new ventures while also focusing more funds on boosting general marketing efforts for Boonville and Cooper County.

Among the organizations awarded the most funds under tourism’s 2010 budget is Friends of Historic Boonville, which is to receive a total of $6,500 to fund three projects: a summer intern, the Missouri River Festival of the Arts and the Big Muddy Folk Festival.