Hundreds of tourism projects nationwide are collectively getting about $2.4 billion in federal coronavirus relief funding
Mike Phillips performs at the Jefferson Street Jazz & Blues Festival July 23, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. Hundreds of tourism-related projects nationwide, including the festival, collectively are getting about $2.4 billion from the American Rescue Plan, according to an Associated Press analysis of funds flowing from last year's wide-ranging coronavirus relief law.
The money is paying for graffiti-resistant trash cans in Portland, Oregon, culturally diverse music festivals in Nashville, Tennessee, sports facilities in various cities and new marketing campaigns to attract tourists to particular states — sometimes in direct competition with one another. That corresponds with a similar increase in state tourism office budgets, which have rebounded to pre-pandemic levels thanks to the federal aid.
Those governments had budgeted more than $1.6 billion from those flexible funds for about 550 tourism, travel and hospitality projects as of the end of March, according to an Associated Press analysis ofThose tourism projects include $425,000 in Portland to replace 200 trash cans with ones that have larger openings and harder-to-deface surfaces made of such things as metal slats or wire mesh.
One of those grants went to the Fort Independence Indian Reservation, a 220-member tribe that plans to add more than 60 jobs at its enlarged travel center.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
U.S. Senate bill could be death blow for Biden anti-drilling pledgeU.S. President Joe Biden vowed during his 2020 election campaign to end federal oil and gas drilling as a major step in his strategy to fight climate change.
Read more »
Federal office focused on climate change and health has zero fundingMore than a year after the Office of Climate Change and Health Equity was launched, it has yet to receive any funding, despite worsening climate disasters.
Read more »
We Asked Kep1er, SF9, And 8 Other K-Pop Groups About Their Fave Songs, And Here's What They Had To Say'I don't really like exercise, but when I do, I enjoy listening to Jazz.'
Read more »
13 things to do this weekend in San AntonioThings to do this weekend in San Antonio: Jazz festival, Danny Gokey, Kurtis Conner, Unite: SA
Read more »
Looting unfolds at SF jazz club after police respond to break-inAfter the jazz club was broken into early Tuesday morning, two dozen looters allegedly raided the acclaimed music venue for five hours.
Read more »