U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $857,119 in American Rescue Plan Funds to Boost Cultural Tourism Growth for the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding an $857,119 grant to the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, Hogansburg, New York, for development of a travel and cultural tourism training program that will support tourism-related business and job growth. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan’s Indigenous Communities program.

This project will support implementation of the Akwesasne Travel program, providing tourism-specific training, small business technical assistance, and product testing, to grow Tribal businesses and create jobs.

“Tribal communities were disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus pandemic,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This EDA investment will provide the infrastructure necessary to develop cultural tourism for the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe and create jobs for its members.”

“I thank the Biden Administration for its partnership with New York in recognizing the importance of New York’s Indigenous communities in awarding these funds for the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe,” said Governor Kathy Hochul. “With this award, President Biden, Secretary Raimondo, and members of New York’s congressional delegation have ensured that tribal members will receive world-class training and technical assistance to sustain their tourism industry, grow their businesses, and create good jobs in the North Country.”

“I am proud to deliver this $800,000+ federal investment to the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, which will help create new good-paying jobs, boost local businesses, and accelerate the area’s economic recovery from the pandemic,” said Senator Chuck Schumer. “The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on the health and local economies of America’s tribal nations. Alongside the historic funding I secured for tribal governments in the American Rescue Plan and the Bipartisan Infrastructure and Jobs Law, this investment will help bolster new economic opportunity for Upstate New York’s Indigenous communities and I will keep fighting to ensure they have the resources to build a brighter future.”

This project is funded under EDA’s American Rescue Plan Indigenous Communities program, which allocates $100 million in American Rescue Plan funding specifically to support the needs of Tribal Governments and Indigenous communities. The program supports these partners to develop and execute economic development projects they need to recover from the pandemic and build economies for the future. Indigenous communities are also eligible and encouraged to apply under all of EDA’s other programs. 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.