The Attraction Development Grant Program (ADGP), offered by Kansas Tourism, is designed to provide strategic economic assistance to public, private, and not-for-profit entities. Its core mission is to develop new, or enhance existing, tourism attractions within the state of Kansas. This initiative directly aligns with broader goals of economic development by fostering job creation, attracting capital investment, increasing revenue, and boosting overall visitation to the state. The program seeks to ensure that all funded projects have a clear and accountable tie to the tourism industry, emphasizing their role in drawing new visitors to Kansas.
The target beneficiaries of the ADGP are diverse, including not-for-profit organizations, government agencies (cities, counties, townships, and federally recognized Indian Tribes), for-profit businesses, Indian Tribes or consortiums, institutions of higher education, and public or private non-profit organizations working with political subdivisions. The impact goals are multi-faceted, aiming to spur economic growth, develop destination-based assets, enhance the visitor experience, and improve the quality of life in communities across the state of Kansas. The program prioritizes projects that will demonstrably bring new visitors to the state, ensuring that the investments contribute to the expansion of Kansas's tourism sector.
The primary focuses of the ADGP include new attraction construction, enhancement to existing attractions, and the creation or improvement of attraction exhibits. These project types are expected to directly contribute to the program's overarching goals. For instance, new constructions and enhancements are anticipated to create destination-based assets, while improved exhibits are aimed at enriching the visitor experience. All eligible projects are assessed on their potential to generate economic impact through job creation, capital investment, revenue generation, and increased visitation.
The expected outcomes of the ADGP are robust economic benefits for Kansas. These include a measurable increase in tourism-related jobs, significant capital investments in new and improved attractions, higher revenues for businesses and the state, and a sustained increase in the number of visitors to Kansas. The program’s strategic approach, by targeting projects with a direct link to tourism, reflects a theory of change that posits that investments in high-quality, new, or enhanced attractions will serve as catalysts for broader economic prosperity and an improved quality of life for residents. The maximum grant size of $1,000,000 ensures that projects with substantial potential for impact can be supported.
