WISCONSIN DELLS – Governor Jim Doyle today announced that he is providing $250,000 in grants to assist organizations in attracting visitors this summer and fall.
“The best thing visitors can do right now is support the tourism businesses they’ve come to know and love over the years by keeping their vacation plans and visiting Wisconsin,” Governor Doyle said. “In order to aid in the process, I am pleased to announce that I am providing $250,000 in one-time grants to assist groups in counties designated by FEMA as disaster areas in getting traffic back to their attractions.”
Governor Doyle was joined at his press conference today by tourism industry leaders, business representatives, and local elected officials. While Wisconsin’s tourism industry has been affected by the storms earlier this month, the majority of the state’s tourism businesses, including attractions, resorts and restaurants, remain open for business. Most of the state’s top destinations, including Wisconsin’s Northwoods, were not impacted by the severe weather and flooding and look forward to welcoming visitors.
Entities eligible for the grants include non-profit marketing organizations such as convention bureaus, economic development groups, and chambers of commerce that are located in counties designated as FEMA disaster areas. The one-time grants will be up to $12,500 and will be awarded by the Department of Tourism.
Tourism is a $13 billion industry in Wisconsin accounting for nearly 300,000 jobs.
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