TRAVEL Stimulus Grants Awarded to Door County Tourism Organizations
Media Contact: Jack Moneypenny, President/CEO, Destination Door County
jack@doorcounty.com or 920-818-1131
Eight local tourism organizations in Door County were recently awarded more than $740,000 through the Tourism Relief to Accelerate Vitality and Economic Lift (TRAVEL) stimulus grant program administered by the Wisconsin Department of Tourism.
The TRAVEL grant program was designed to help Wisconsin’s tourism promotion and tourism development organizations resume business operations and restore economic activity stemming from the COVID-19 public health emergency. The grant program was funded through the state’s discretionary federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act dollars.
The awarded TRAVEL grants help support efforts Door County’s local tourism organizations took this year to continue and adjust operations due to impacts of COVID-19. The grant dollars will be used to reimburse tourism organizations for incurred operational expenditures and marketing expenses that promoted a safe and healthy experience for travelers and resident consumers.
Local tourism organizations that were awarded TRAVEL grants include the Baileys Harbor Community Association, Destination Door County, Destination Sturgeon Bay, Door County North, Egg Harbor Business Association, Ephraim Business Council, Fish Creek Civic Association and the Sister Bay Advancement Association.
Destination Door County President/CEO Jack Moneypenny said he was glad to see the Department of Tourism recognize, through grant dollars, the work area tourism organizations did this year to support the continuation of the county’s largest economic driver during a challenging year for tourism.
“These grant dollars provide reimbursement for money already spent on things like hand sanitizer stations and cleaning supplies, grab and go visitor information kits and enhanced marketing efforts that promoted safe travel practices,” Moneypenny said. “It also helps cover lost revenue and puts us in better position for a stronger recovery in 2021,” he said.
The Wisconsin Department of Tourism this week announced that TRAVEL grants were awarded to 158 grantees throughout Wisconsin totaling $11.9 million.
“We’re glad to be distributing grants to 158 organizations, demonstrating the importance of tourism’s come back throughout the state,” said Tourism Secretary-designee Sara Meaney. “Accelerating the return of economic vitality for communities around the state is of critical importance and this grant will play a major role in helping not just the tourism economy, but all of Wisconsin’s economy.”
Tourism is an important pillar of Wisconsin’s economy and the industry saw its biggest year on record in 2019. Over 113.2 million visits statewide generated an estimated $13.7 billion in visitor spending, including $1.6 billion in state and local tax revenue. In Door County, tourism brought $374 million in visitor spending in 2019, and an additional $107 million in business sales when indirect and induced impacts are factored in. Tourism spending in 2019 also generated $39.2 million in state and local tax revenue.
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About Destination Door County
Destination Door County is the official tourism management organization for Door County whose mission is to inspire travel that drives community enhancement while working to ensure all travelers feel welcome, preserving the county’s way of life and protecting the region’s natural resources.
