The Eastern Regional Tourism District will award $70,000 in matching grants to 15 organizations that developed plans to market tourism in the district’s 41 cities and towns this spring and summer.

Each of the recipients will be required to match the amount of its grant, providing for a total investment of $140,000.

Twenty businesses, nonprofits and municipalities applied for the money.

“The recipients of the partnership grants developed well-thought-out projects that will extend the district’s and the state’s ability to entice tourists to visit our region,” Francesca Kefalas, who chaired the tourism district’s grants committee, said in a statement. “We’re excited to see the outcomes.”

Recipients include: The America Museum, Blackhall Outfitters, City of New London, Connecticut's Countryside, Discover the Thames, New England Mountain Bike Association, Putnam Business Association and ThinkMystic.Com.

Also, Thompson Cemetery Visitor Guide, Explore Plainfield, Town of Pomfret, Westford Hill Distillers, Willimantic Downtown Neighborhood Association, Windham Historical Society – Jillson House and Windham Preservation Inc.