The Office of Indian Economic Development awarded 18 federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) Tribes and Tribal organizations grants totaling $1,512,553.
The organizations receive the Tribal Tourism Grant Awards based on each of their proposal's potential to create jobs for Tribal members.
“With the ongoing impact COVID-19 is having on the tourism industry, it is important to recognize how much more the Tribal tourism sector, which is a vital part of many Tribal economies, is suffering,” Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs Bryan Newland said in a press release. “The Tribal Tourism Grant Program is one way we can aid Tribal governments and organizations in their efforts to stay open for business during this time of national crisis.”
The grants allow AI/AN Tribes and Tribal organizations to hire consultants, perform feasibility studies, or develop business plans of proposed tourism projects, the release stated.
La Posta Band of Mission Indians received $50,400 for a feasibility study to produce a fundable business plan to construct, operate, and maintain a recreational vehicle park utilizing an abandoned Tribal casino site, the BIA reported on its website.
Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria received $70,866 for a feasibility study and business plan for the Trinidad Rancheria Harbor Business District. Seneca Nation got $75,000 for a Tribal tourism feasibility study and business plan for the development and implementation of an Iroquois Sports Museum/Center on their territory. The Seminole Tribe of Florida received $60,000 for a tourism feasibility study that will be conducted of the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s Big Cypress project to determine methods to identify potential tourists.
The Tribal Tourism Grant Program is funded through the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience (NATIVE) Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-221). On July 13 the OIED published in the Federal Register a notice soliciting applications for this year’s grants.
