Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.2 million grant to the city of Missoula, Montana, to support a river access construction project in Caras Park. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan.
This project will provide new amenities such as a viewing platform, retaining walls, and an ADA path, creating greater access to the park and supporting local tourism. The EDA investment will be matched with $305,076 in local funds and is expected to create 21 jobs, according to grantee estimates.
“The Biden-Harris Administration is dedicated to supporting the travel, tourism and outdoor recreation sector as it works to recover and rebuild following the pandemic,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA investment will support the local tourism industry by attracting new visitors to support local businesses.”
“The Economic Development Administration plays an important role in supporting community-led economic development strategies designed to boost coronavirus recovery and response efforts,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This project will create a new destination for outdoor recreation and tourism, leading to a diverse regional economy.”
“Expanded access to Caras Park will have a lasting impact on the Missoula community and the recreational economy it supports,” said Senator Jon Tester. “This critical funding will not only go toward modernizing the park’s infrastructure and making it more accessible to community members and visitors for years to come, but it will also create good-paying Montana jobs, and that’s what the American Rescue Plan was all about.”
This project is funded under EDA’s $240 million competitive American Rescue Plan Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation program. EDA awarded $510 million in grants to all 50 states and territories in 2021. The two programs are designed to accelerate the recovery of communities that rely on the travel, tourism and outdoor recreation sectors. Effective May 26, 2022, EDA has officially closed all of its American Rescue Plan programs for applications. The $3 billion program funding will be awarded on a rolling basis through September 30, 2022.
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