Submitted

Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced that $1 million in Attraction Development Grant funding was awarded to support the development and enhancement of tourism projects across Kansas. The Kansas Tourism grant program supports projects that strengthen visitors’ experiences while driving local economic growth through job creation, private investment and increased visitation.

“Investments in tourism and our state attractions have been a powerful driver in economic growth for our communities of all sizes and for all of Kansas,” Toland said. “By pairing state support with local commitment, we’re expanding tourism opportunities that create positive economic returns by bringing more out-of-state visitors and out-of-state dollars to Kansas.”

This round of Attraction Development Grant funding will support 22 projects, including new attractions and enhancements to existing tourism assets. Collectively, recipients will invest more than $12 million in matching funds to bring the projects to life.

“Travelers in Kansas are looking for experiences that feel authentic, creative and rooted in place,” said Kansas Tourism Director Bridgette Jobe. “The grants are designed to help turn unique and inspiring ideas into tangible projects that will go to support and encourage visitation and elevate local economies.”

A few highlights from this round of awardees include:

• A climate-controlled building for dock-diving dog events at Heartland Hounds in Emporia; $100,000

• A new, 70,000 square foot habitat for Amur tigers at the Rolling Hills Zoo in Salina; $75,000

• World’s Largest Toto in Wamego; $16,000

To view the full list of Attraction Development Grant recipients, visit https://www.travelks.com/travel-industry/programs-and-resources/grants/attraction-development-grants/.

For more information on the grant program, visit https://www.travelks.com/travel-industry/programs-and-resources/grants/attraction-development-grants/, or contact Kansas Tourism Grant Program Manager Babette Dixon at Babette.Dixon1@ks.gov.

A full list of grants offered by the Kansas Department of Commerce can be found at https://www.kansascommerce.gov/grantscalendar/.

About Kansas Tourism

The mission of Kansas Tourism is to inspire travel to and throughout Kansas to maximize the positive impacts that tourism has on our state and local communities. Kansas Tourism works hand in hand with other Commerce community programs to elevate and promote Kansas as a tourist destination. Kansas Tourism oversees all tourism marketing and PR for the state, produces travel publications and advertising, manages state Travel Information Centers, manages both the Kansas By-ways program and the Kansas Agritourism program, approves tourist signage applications, produces the KANSAS! Magazine, and provides financial and educational support to the tourism industry in Kansas through grants, education and support.

About the Kansas Department of Commerce

As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses.

Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.