We’ve already started seeing more job openings from state tourism offices; have you noticed, too? Funding for each of the 50 states ranges from $2.7 million to nearly $46 million (see below).

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding $510 million in American Rescue Plan State Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation grants to states and territories.

The funds are part of EDA’s $750 million American Rescue Plan Travel, Tourism & Outdoor Recreation program. These investments will support marketing, infrastructure, workforce, and other projects to rejuvenate safe leisure, business, and international travel.

In two separate announcements in November and December, all 59 states and territories have now received State Tourism grants. Scroll down for a chart showing the amounts allocated to each state and territory.

“Projects vary in scope based on locally driven needs. For example, several grantees – from Guam to Georgia – will establish marketing campaigns to draw tourists back. Puerto Rico will use its grant to integrate tourism into distressed urban areas with activities that focus on local artists, cultural influences, and community involvement. Pennsylvania plans to create a diversity, equity, and inclusion leadership and workforce training program for the tourism industry. West Virginia will conduct a comprehensive assessment of industry needs to inform the creation of training and development programs for hospitality workers.

EDA’s American Rescue Plan Travel, Tourism & Outdoor Recreation program also includes $240 million in Competitive Tourism grants that will be awarded to advance the economic recovery and resiliency of communities where the travel, tourism, and outdoor recreation industries were hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic.”