U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds to Boost Cultural Tourism Through Improvements to Visitor Facilities in Idaho and Oregon

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1 million grant to the Nez Perce Tribe, Lapwai, Idaho, to support the recovery of the tourism and outdoor recreation sector through development of new visitor facilities. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan.

This grant will facilitate construction of visitor amenities, including restrooms, shower facilities, and prefabricated cabins, to provide opportunities for camping and cultural tourism at historically significant sites in the traditional Nez Perce lands in Idaho and Oregon. The EDA investment is expected to help create six jobs and retain 18 jobs, according to grantee estimates.

“President Biden recognizes the vital contribution the travel and tourism industry makes to the American economy,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA investment will support the Nez Perce Tribe as it recovers from the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic and builds back stronger for the future.”

“The Economic Development Administration is dedicated to working with communities to support their locally-driven strategies to recover and rebuild from the pandemic,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This project will provide the visitor amenities needed to boost tourism in rural areas of Oregon and Idaho while also improving access to culturally significant sites.” 

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.