Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $2.7 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds to Support the Recovery of the Tourism Sector in Tishomingo, Oklahoma

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2.7 million grant to Murray State College, Tishomingo, Oklahoma, to renovate an existing campus building to create an 11-room hotel that will accommodate local visitors. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan.

This project will renovate a campus building to establish the hotel, which will serve guests of the college and visitors to Tishomingo and the surrounding area, and will also provide valuable work experience for students at Murray State College. This EDA grant will be matched with $2.3 million in local funds and is expected to create 232 jobs, according to grantee estimates.

“President Biden is dedicated to supporting communities across the country as they rebuild their travel and tourism sectors in an effort to build a better America,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. “This EDA investment will support travel and tourism in Tishomingo and create good-paying jobs for the region.”

“The Economic Development Administration works closely with communities to support targeted economic development investments to boost coronavirus recovery and response efforts,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “The new hotel will attract more travelers to the region, strengthening the regional economy.”

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Southern Oklahoma Development Association (SODA). EDA funds SODA to bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment and create jobs.

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.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation's regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.