MADISON Wis. — The American Rescue Plan is continuing to deliver for Wisconsin families. Governor Evers and President Biden are working together to ensure that federal funds are available and allocated to Wisconsin’s hospitality and tourism industries.
The American Rescue Plan, made possible by President Biden and Democrats in Congress, provided essential pandemic relief and federal funds to states. Gov. Evers has been a committed partner to Wisconsin hotels and tourism-related businesses, ensuring the federal support uplifts the tourism industry and powers businesses through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Most recently, Gov. Evers dedicated $70 million in federal grants to Wisconsin hotels to offset their losses from the pandemic. Grants of up to $2 million went out last Friday to 888 lodging businesses around the state. Gov. Evers also made investments in local tourism — dedicating $10 million of funds from the American Rescue Plan to local governments and tourism-entity nonprofits for tourism-related investment projects.
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Wisconsin’s tourism industry accounted for more than 157,000 jobs across the state and contributed $17.3 billion to the state’s economy in 2020. These grants are a continuation of the Governors more than $140 million commitment to Wisconsin’s tourism and entertainment industries, including:
- $75 million to lodging grants;
- $11.25 million to movie theaters;
- $12 million to live event small businesses;
- $2.8 million to minor league sports teams;
- $10 million to live venues;
- $15 million to destination marketing organizations;
- $8 million to summer camps;
- $1 million to the Wisconsin Historical Society to assist in reopening historical sites; and
- $7.5 million to increase marketing support for the tourism industry.
“With a partner like President Biden in the White House and Democrats in control of Congress, Gov. Evers has made unprecedented investments in Wisconsin’s hospitality industry, helping thousands of businesses bounce back after Trump’s failed response to the pandemic,” said Democratic Party of Wisconsin Rapid Response Director Julia Hamelburg.
“As local economies continue to build back better from this pandemic, small business owners across the state won’t soon forget that support for Wisconsin’s tourism industry was made possible by Democrats in Washington delivering the American Rescue Plan — and no thanks to Republicans in Congress who voted against this critical relief.”
