EDA American Rescue Plan Programs - Travel, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation

PROMOTING AMERICA’S TOURIST COMMUNITIES

Through the Travel, Tourism & Outdoor Recreation program, EDA is focused on accelerating the recovery of communities that rely on the travel, tourism and outdoor recreation sectors. $750 million of EDA’s American Rescue Plan funds are allocated to support the following efforts:

State Tourism Grants: $510 million in non-competitive awards to help states quickly invest in marketing, infrastructure, workforce and other projects to rejuvenate safe leisure, business and international travel.
Competitive Grants: $240 million to help communities that have been hardest hit by challenges facing the travel, tourism and outdoor recreation sectors to invest in infrastructure, workforce or other projects to support the recovery of the industry and economic resilience of the community in the future.

STATE TOURISM GRANTS
Eligible applicants for EDA’s Statewide Planning Grants include Governors, the Mayor of DC, and other applicable Territory leaders or their designees. EDA will send these applicants a formal invitation to apply.

COMPETITIVE TOURISM GRANTS
Eligible applicants for EDA’s Competitive Tourism Grants program include a(n):

• District Organization of an EDA-designated Economic Development District
• Indian Tribe or a consortium of Indian Tribes
• State, county, city, or other political subdivision of a State, including a special purpose unit of a State or local government engaged in economic or infrastructure development activities, or a consortium of political subdivisions
• Institution of higher education or a consortium of institutions of higher education
• Public or private non-profit organization or association acting in cooperation with officials of a political subdivision of a State

Individuals or for-profit entities are not eligible.

Notice of Funding Opportunity
Frequently Asked Questions
Travel, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Webinar

• Travel, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation presentation slides (PDF)

State Tourism Grant Allocations
One Pager (PDF)

Application Deadlines -

State Tourism Grants - Application due 60 days after receiving invitation

Competitive Tourism Grants - Rolling (Competitive Tourism Grants). EDA encourages eligible applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible.