TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced Monday the 11 recipients of the Kansas Tourism Attraction Development Grants. The grants were presented by Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland on May 13 at an event at the Colby Events Center.
“Tourism is the welcoming committee for new residents and businesses in our state,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “By continuing to develop vibrant travel destinations across Kansas, we are opening the door to more revenue and new economic growth in communities of all sizes.”
The Attraction Development Grant Program is administered by Kansas Tourism, a division of the Kansas Department of Commerce. The grants assist in the expansion of sustainable, market-driven travel experiences within the state that will influence travel decisions, increase visitation to Kansas, and generate economic impact resulting from the creation of jobs, capital investment, and tax revenue.
Kansas Tourism will provide a total of $251,544 in grant funding for eleven new or enhanced attraction development projects across the state. In total, the eleven grant recipients will invest more than $2.1 million toward the approved projects.
“Destination development and tourism are critical economic development activities,” Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary Toland said. “When people come to one of these attractions, they’ll also dine at our local restaurants, stay at local hotels and shop at local stores. All of this brings new dollars to our communities and helps showcase the great places we have to live, work, and play across Kansas.”
The 2022 grant recipients are:
Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau, Dickinson County, $22,000 – World’s Largest Belt Buckle
Baxter Springs Historical Society, Cherokee County, $40,000 – Route 66 Roadside Park
City of Colby, Thomas County, $40,000 –Young Memorial Park Project
Colonial Fox Theatre Foundation, Crawford County, $40,000 – Theatre Pavilion Project
Exploration Place, Sedgwick County, $20,000 – Traveling Exhibit Gallery Improvements
Good Karma Micro-Dairy, Russell County, $3,130 – Agritourism Farm Tour Enhancements
Kansas State Fair, Reno County, $10,699 – Expo Center Enhancements
Medicine Lodge Indian Peace Treaty Association, Barber County, $20,000 – Grounds Improvement Project
Oregon Trail, LLC, Brown County, $40,000 –Glamping Project
Thrive Allen County, Allen County, $2,475 – Walter Johnson Sign
White Tail Run Winery, Douglas County, $13,239 –Disc Golf Course
“Funding these projects is essential for expanding and enhancing Kansas’ vast attraction portfolio” said Kansas Tourism Director, Bridgette Jobe. “This grant supports destinations and communities by spurring economic growth, increasing visitation to Kansas, and enhancing the visitor experience.”
Applications were reviewed by a committee of three Kansas travel industry representatives appointed by Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce, David Toland. The committee made its selections based on the projects’ economic impact to the state, availability of leveraged funding, ability to finish the project within 18 months, and the presence of a sound business and marketing plan. Grant dollars may fund up to 40 percent of a project, with the community or business funding the remaining 60 percent.
