NEWS

December 16, 2009

For more information contact:
Sara Otte Coleman, Director, Tourism Division
North Dakota Department of Commerce
701-328-2525

Tourism Infrastructure and Expansion Grant Recipients Announced

Five North Dakota tourism entities received 2010 Tourism Infrastructure and Expansion Grants from the North Dakota Department of Commerce. These grants support new or expanding tourism or recreation facilities or designated development areas primarily by funding infrastructure projects.

The Tourism Infrastructure and Expansion Grants are matching grants requiring the sponsor to provide one dollar for every two dollars of grant money being requested. The total amount of grant dollars awarded for this program is $93,568.

2010 Tourism Infrastructure and Expansion Grant Recipients:

• Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Tourism Department to develop and create a “Gateway to the West” Visitor and Information Center on Main Street in New Town.

• Turtle Mountain Scenic Byway and Bottineau County for construction of an interpretive center at Mystical Horizons scenic overlook.

• Lisbon Opera House Foundation to install a new heating and air conditioning system in the historic Lisbon Opera House.

• Mandan Progress Organization to create the “Mandan Heritage Plaza” at the historic Mandan Beanery and Depot.

• City of Kathryn restoration of the Historic Sheyenne Valley Bank building into a community and interpretive center.

North Dakota Department of Commerce Commissioner Shane Goettle said, "This program provides an opportunity to combine Economic Development and Tourism Division dollars to enhance the state's tourism attractions, thus drawing more visitor dollars to North Dakota."

Grant recipients can use the funds to remodel or preserve existing tourism and recreation attractions, historical sites and artifacts. Funds may be used to build or purchase new attractions, historical sites and artifacts, and purchase equipment.

Qualifying attractions include recreation, historical sites, festival and cultural events, lodging and food services that are singularly and uniquely related to historical, cultural or recreational tourist attractions, and guide services. They must have the ability to attract a visitor 50 miles one-way and retain a visitor for at least three hours.

"These grants are important to not only our industry partners who receive the funds, but to the state's tourism industry as a whole," said North Dakota Tourism Division Director Sara Otte Coleman. "These funds allow tourism entities to enhance the experience visitors have at their attractions by improving the site itself."

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North Dakota received two legendary designations in 2008 – most affordable (AAA) and friendliest (Cambridge University).