Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism

The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism has awarded Attraction Development Grants totaling $83,520 to six Kansas organizations. The funds will provide strategic funding assistance to help the organizations with their tourism attraction efforts. The grants are funded through KDWPT’s Attraction Development Grant Program and will be matched by a total of $659,571 from the recipients.

Oakley Area Tourism will receive $4,320.78 toward the construction of an electronic kiosk at the Oakley Travel Information Center. Oakley Area Tourism will leverage $6,481.16 in cash contributions toward the project cost.

Rolling Hills Zoo, Salina, will receive $20,000 to help market “REPTILES: The Beautiful and the Deadly” traveling exhibit. Rolling Hills Zoo will leverage $126,700 cash and in-kind contributions toward the project cost.

Sand Creek Station Golf Course, Newton, will receive $20,000 to assist with construction of a PGA Standard Scoreboard in advance of the 2014 USGA Amateur Public Links National Championship. Sand Creek Station Golf Course will leverage $171,900 cash and in-kind contributions toward the project cost.

Kansas Celebrity Hall of Fame, Independence, will receive $15,000 to assist with construction of ADA compliant restroom facilities and Welcome Center. The Kansas Celebrity Hall of Fame will leverage $26,100 cash and in-kind contributions toward the project cost.

The Lawrence Convention and Visitors Bureau will receive $15,000 to help create a logo and documentary marketing Lawrence as the “Cradle of Basketball.” The Lawrence Convention and Visitors Bureau will leverage $314,590 cash and in-kind contributions toward the project cost.

Hutchinson Convention and Visitors Bureau will receive $9,200 to assist with costs associated with installation of a driving range net at Prairie Dunes Country Club in advance of the 2014 NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championship. Hutchinson Convention and Visitors Bureau will leverage $13,800 in cash contributions toward the project cost.

The Attraction Development Grant Program assists in developing and marketing authentic experiences that encourage travelers to visit Kansas. Grants may be used for various activities necessary to expand the tourism product base or develop new attractions. The program funds up to 40 percent of a project, with the community or business funding the remaining 60 percent. Funding for the Tourism Attraction Development Grant Program comes from the Economic Development Initiatives Fund, which is derived from state lottery proceeds.