by BECKY GOFF
Little Apple Post
On Friday, October 28, 2022, Governor Laura Kelly announced a partnership between Kansas Tourism and the Patterson Family Foundation, providing nearly $2 million to eight tourism projects across the state of Kansas.
Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland and Kansas Tourism Director Bridgette Jobe presented the Tourism Attraction Sub-Grants for Kansas (TASK) at the Strataca: Kansas Underground Salt Museum in Hutchinson on Thursday.
In the state of Kansas, tourism is the 9th largest employer, generating more than $11.8 billion in economic output annually, saving Kansans approximately $600 on average in yearly taxes.
“Kansas is increasingly becoming a destination state for tourists around the world – and these grants make that all the more true,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “By developing new and enhanced tourism attractions, we’re growing an industry that employs tens of thousands of Kansans, brings billions of dollars into our economy, and preserves our rich history for generations to come.”
“These grant recipients contribute greatly to the growth of sustainable and memorable travel experiences across our state,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “We are investing in communities across Kansas because we know the value and benefit tourism dollars bring to our local, regional, and state economies.”
The TASK recipients and amounts awarded:
- City of Great Bend Convention & Visitors Bureau, Barton County, $337,500
- Flint Hills Discovery Center, Riley County, $200,000
- Grassroots Art Center, Russell County, $172,226
- Horse Thief Reservoir Benefit District, Hodgeman County, $299,918
- Johnson County Park & Recreation District, Johnson County, $201,168
- Miners Hall Museum Foundation, Crawford County, $337,500
- Strataca: Kansas Underground Salt Museum, Reno County, $174,750
- The Nature Conservancy, Logan County, $238,950
“The TASK projects being awarded elevate our visitor experiences and make Kansas an even greater tourism destination,” Kansas Tourism Director Bridgette Jobe said. “New and improved attractions bring more visitors to our state and local communities. These same visitors will dine at local restaurants, stay in hotels, and shop at local stores.”
Additional details and project descriptions can be found at https://www.travelks.com/task-grant-awardees/.