The Travel & Tourism Division of the Kansas Department of Commerce will provide a combined $100,000 in Attraction Development Grant funding to four Kansas organizations to develop tourism projects.
The four recipients are the Rock Creek Valley Historical Society, Coffeyville Historical Society, Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center, and Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area. The recipients will match Commerce’s investment with a combined $267,675 in leveraged funds, bringing the total value of the projects to $367,675.
The Attraction Development Grant Program assists the development of authentic experiences that encourage travelers to visit Kansas. Grants may be used for various activities necessary to expand the tourism product base or develop new attractions. The grant funds up to 40 percent of a project, with the community or business funding the remaining 60 percent.
“These are four exciting tourism projects that will help promote Kansas tourism,” said Becky Blake, Director of the Department’s Travel & Tourism Division. “As travelers seek new adventures, it’s critical that we do everything we can to assist the tourism industry and market Kansas as a destination. The Attraction Development Grant Program is a great tool to help tourism destinations maximize their potential.”
Funding for the Attraction Development Grant Program is provided by the Economic Development Initiatives Fund, which is derived from state lottery proceeds. Grant guidelines and applications are available at www.TravelKS.com under the Tourism Industry link.
For more information, contact Joe Monaco, Public Information Officer with the Kansas Department of Commerce, at (785) 296-3760 or jmonaco@kansascommerce.com.
Project descriptions are as follows:
Rock Creek Valley Historical Society
· Attraction Development Grant: $10,500
· Total Leveraged: $16,305
· Total Project Value: $26,805
Funding will assist the refurbishment of the Wiziard Circus building. The barn is located in Westmoreland, the winter home of the Wiziard family. The family used the barn to practice their tight–rope circus act. Jack Wiziard Jr. later became Wizzo the clown, the host of a popular children’s TV show that ran from 1954-87.
Coffeyville Historical Society
· Attraction Development Grant: $16,900
· Total Leveraged: $25,350
· Total Project Value: $42,250
Grant funding will assist with the re-glazing and refinishing of the wood windows on the Brown Mansion. The Brown Mansion was completed in 1906. In 2008, the National Park Service designated the Brown Mansion an American Treasure. The mansion is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center
· Attraction Development Grant: $60,600
· Total Leveraged: $208,020
· Total Project Value: $268,620
Grant funding will assist with the development of the Center’s new interactive exhibit, “Investigate Space.” The exhibit will take the audience from the past through the present and into the future of space exploration.
Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area
· Attraction Development Grant: $12,000
· Total Leveraged: $18,000
· Total Project: $30,000
Grant funding will assist with the development of the FFNHA Web site. The FFNHA Web site will link the 41-county region, tell the interrelating stories of each site and assist visitors in planning their trip to the heritage area.
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Joe Monaco
Public Information Officer
Kansas Department of Commerce
1000 S.W. Jackson St., Suite 100
Topeka, KS 66612
(785) 296-3760
jmonaco@kansascommerce.com