The Maryland Department of Commerce Office of Tourism has received $9.6 million in federal funding to support tourism marketing, promotion, and development, Governor Hogan announced Friday.
The funding is provided through the Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation program, one of the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration’s American Rescue Plan programs.
The EDA was allocated $ billion in American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Of the $3 billion, the EDA allocated $750 million to the Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation program, which provides state tourism grants.
“The tourism industry has shown its strength and determination since the beginning of the pandemic,” Governor Hogan said in a statement on Friday.
“Over the last several months, our administration has worked hard to support local hospitality businesses with grants to sustain them through the health emergency,” he said, “This new EDA funding will help our state and regional tourism offices do what they do best – invite people to Maryland and enjoy all that our state has to offer.”
The state will award $2.8 million to 25 tourism marketing organizations; $1.9 million to government agencies, economic development organizations, and other industry partners; $2 million for outdoor recreation; and $2.9 million for the Office of Tourism’s 18 Scenic Byways marketing promotion.
“We are incredibly grateful to receive nearly $10 million from the Economic Development Administration in support of our state’s tourism and recreation sectors,” said Maryland Commerce Secretary Mike Gil in a statement.
“These funds will help each of Maryland’s five regions increase visitation, boost business sales, and support the workforce throughout the industry,” he said.
