Cities and towns across the Shenandoah Valley received grants from the Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC).

Gov. Bob McDonnell announced the $635,000 total grant funds Thursday morning.

The grants will assist local and regional tourism groups with attracting more visitors through marketing.

The local organizations will match the state grant funds by a minimum of 3 to 1 to create marketing projects like websites, signs, advertisements and social media endeavors.

In 2010 tourism in Virginia generated $18.9 billion in revenue, provided $1.3 billion in state and local taxes and supported more than 204,000 jobs.

Dollars invested in tourism have been shown to provide a 5-to-1 return in tax revenue in Virginia, and the grant awards and matching funds provide a stimulus to localities seeking to increase tourism visitation and revenue.

Below is a list of local organizations to receive the grants:

City of Waynsboro – Virginia Fly Fishing and Wine Festival - $10,000

New Market, Staunton, Harrisonburg, Waynesboro and Front Royal – SVTA Outdoor Recreation and Family Travel Marketing Campaign - $50,000

Harrisonburg – Virginia is for Lovers of College Sports (shared with Richmond, Norfolk and McClean - $33,500

McGaheysville, Luray, Harrisonburg, New Market, Woodstock – Shenandoah Music Trail - $6,190

New Market, Port Republic, Luray – Valley Campaign Film and Animations - $12,733

Waynesboro – The Gateway - $5,000

Luray, Shenandoah, Stanley – Luray and Page County: So Much to Love - $50,000

The next round of Marketing Leverage Program grants will open Spring 2012. Localities interested in applying should visit www.vatc.org for more information.