Governor Laura Kelly announces $30 million awarded to 18 recipients developing and improving tourism sites statewide.
 

 Funding was made available through the State Park Revitalization & Investment in Notable Tourism (SPRINT) program launched by the Department of Commerce earlier this year.

 

 The funds were designated by the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Executive Committee and approved by the State Finance Council to support capital projects that spur regional economic development in the tourism industry, one of the most affected industries by COVID-19.

 
Visitor spending, which generates a total annual economic impact of $11.2 billion in Kansas, has yet to return fully to pre-pandemic levels.

 

 A local recipient of funds is the Brown Mansion, who received $100,000 from SPARK. 
 

 SPRINT applications included investments in state parks, museums, convention and visitor bureaus, conference centers, performing arts centers, entertainment venues, and other tourism-focused businesses and tourism agencies. Recipients will use funds towards infrastructure enhancements, renovation and repair of facilities, general construction, public land development, recruitment costs for permanent and semi-permanent exhibits, and costs for national museum affiliation. Awardees will have two years to complete their projects and utilize all awarded funds.