Destination Development Corp. Receives Federal Grant

The Indiana Destination Development Corp. is the recipient of a $5.6 million grant from the federal Economic Development Administration. The agency says the funding is intended to revitalize travel, tourism and outdoor recreation.

Indiana is one of 34 states and the District of Columbia to be awarded funding in the first round, which totaled $314 million.

“These funds allow IDDC to help enhance the quality of life here in our great state,” said Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch. “By investing in marketing, we can boost the Leisure and Travel- Related industry, which is crucial to our economy.”

According to the EDA, the investments will support marketing, infrastructure, and workforce projects, among others.

“This grant money will further IDDC’s mission is to drive more consumers to the Leisure and Travel-Related entities within our state, which will help those entities recover from the pandemic,” said Elaine Bedel, the IDDC’s secretary and chief executive officer. “We also anticipate that our initiatives will raise the perception of Indiana.”

The EDA says it allocated money based on employment loss and share of the state’s Gross Domestic Product in the leisure and hospitality sectors.