28 August 2023
TOPEKA (KSNT) – Multiple Kansas organizations, including two in Topeka, are receiving cash through the 2023 Tourism Marketing Grant Awards Program.
The Kansas Department of Commerce (KDC) said in a press release that 22 tourism projects are receiving parts of a $117,780 disbursement in grant money. The grants are meant to help local tourism organizations or attractions with new or first-time innovative marketing initiatives.
“Supporting tourist attractions and unique local events across the state just makes good business sense,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Kansas benefits greatly from the $11.2B in total economic impact that travel and tourism generates annually, and the Department of Commerce will continue providing marketing assistance that helps increase that impact.”
Applications to the program were reviewed by a committee of Kansas Tourism representatives, according to the KDC. The program is meant to increase travel to tourism destination sites while also enhancing the state’s image.
“We are proud to provide support to our dedicated tourism industry partners through these marketing grants,” Kansas Tourism Director Bridgette Jobe said. “Increasing visitation to these exciting destinations boosts local economies in a variety of ways.”
Among the list of awardees are two local Topeka organizations: Visit Topeka/ArtsConnect and North Topeka Arts District (NOTO). The complete list of awardees can be found below:
Atchison Area Chamber of Commerce
Atchison County
$10,000
Barber County United, Inc.
Barber County
$5,599
Carolyn & Mark McGinn Farms/Equus Beds
Sedgwick
$5,000
City of Great Bend CVB
Barton County
$2,849
Diamond Springs Ranch
Harvey County
$5,000
Graham County Community Development
Graham County
$5,615
Jewell County Revitalization
Jewell County
$10,000
Kansas Free for Arts, Inc.
Lyon County
$5,000
Marquette Chamber of Commerce
McPherson County
$960
Marysville Convention & Tourism
Marshall County
$10,000
Miami County
Miami County
$2,000
Mitchell County Convention & Tourism
Mitchell County
$4,000
National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame
Wyandotte County
$5,000
North Central Kansas Shooting Sports, LLC
Mitchell County
$2,830
North Topeka Arts District, Inc
Shawnee County
$8,350
Russell County Economic Development & CVB
Russell County
$3,280
Seneca Area Chamber & Downtown Impact
Nemaha County
$1,600
Southeast Kansas Museum Alliance
Multiple SE Kansas Counties
$3,640
Tanganyika Wildlife Park
Sedgwick County
$10,000
Visit Coffeyville
Montgomery County
$6,960
Visit Herington/Convention & Visitors Bureau
Dickinson County
$5,097
Visit Topeka/Arts Connect
Shawnee County
$5,000
To view the original release from the KDC on this year’s grant disbursements, click here.