Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $900,000 in American Rescue Plan Funds for Improvements at the New Orleans Jazz Museum to Boost Tourism in New Orleans, Louisiana

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $900,000 grant to the Louisiana Museum Foundation, New Orleans, Louisiana, to support campus improvements at the New Orleans Jazz Museum. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan.

This project will reconstruct the first-floor café, construct an outdoor stage, and make other ground improvements to attract new visitors to the museum, the city, and other local attractions. This EDA grant will be matched with $225,000 in local funds and is expected to create or retain 55 jobs and generate $33 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

“The travel, tourism and outdoor recreation sector is a critical economic driver for many communities and the Economic Development Administration is pleased to support community-led development strategies,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This EDA investment will strengthen New Orleans’ tourism sector, providing economic recovery and a more resilient tourism industry for the region.”

“I would like to thank President Biden and Sec. Raimondo for this investment of America Rescue Plan funds in the birthplace of jazz, which helps ensure that Louisiana’s tourism and visitor economic sector continues to grow and thrive,” said Governor John Bel Edwards. “This expansion of the New Orleans Jazz Museum will have immediate and long-term economic, cultural and educational benefits for the city, region and state.”

“New Orleans’ cultural economy is one of the regions’ important economic drivers. I am proud to help bring home these resources so that it can thrive as our tourism industry recovers from the pandemic,” said Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (LA-02).

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the New Orleans Regional Planning Commission (NORPC). EDA funds NORPC 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 2021 to all 50 states and territories. 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.

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.