U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1.9 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds to Build Nature Education Center to Boost Outdoor Recreation in Cache Valley, Utah

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.9 million grant to the Stokes Nature Center, Providence, Utah, to develop a nature education and outdoor exploration facility. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan.

This project will support outdoor recreation and boost the local tourism industry by attracting new visitors to Cache Valley. This EDA grant will be matched with $471,250 in local funds and is expected to create 10 jobs, according to grantee estimates.

“President Biden’s American Rescue Plan delivers federal resources to communities to ensure our nation not only recovers from the pandemic, but builds a better America for the future,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This project will boost nature-based tourism and outdoor recreation in Cache Valley while facilitating job growth and spurring private investment.”

“The travel and tourism industry is an important part of many local economies across the country,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This EDA investment in northern Utah is an excellent opportunity to leverage a regional asset and build greater economic resiliency in the region’s growing outdoor recreation industry.”

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Bear River Association of Governments (BRAG). EDA funds BRAG 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.