Tourism Industry Recovery Grants
The Senate Jobs and Economic Development Committee has scheduled a hearing on SF 1794, the Tourism Industry Recovery Grants bill for Monday, March 13th at 12:30 p.m.
The bill is sponsored by Senators Hauschild (Hermantown), Putman (St. Cloud), Pratt (Prior Lake), and Rasmusson (Fergus Falls) and appropriates $10 million for a Tourism Industry Recovery grant program. The grant program would provide money to organizations, Tribal governments, and communities to accelerate the recovery of the state’s tourism industry. Grant funds may be used to support meetings, conventions and group business, multicommunity and high-visibility events, and tourism marketing.
The Minnesota Tourism Growth Coalition is working with the bill author coordinating testimony with other industry partners in support of this important bill. You will be able watch the hearing on the Senate Media YouTube page: (142) Minnesota Senate Media Services – YouTube.
SF 1794 Coalition Letter of Support
EMT Council Membership Expansion
Legislation to expand the membership of the Explore Minnesota Tourism Council presented by EMT Director Lauren Bennet McGinty in two legislative committees this week. The bills, HF 1922/SF 2369 will increase the Explore Minnesota Tourism Council from 28 to 35 voting members. The new members would include representatives of statewide associations representing craft beverage establishments, chambers of commerce for underrepresented communities, and Tribal nations. Additional seats would also include representatives of tourism businesses representing arts and culture, sports, outdoor recreation, and tourism business owners from underrepresented communities. The bill was sent to the House Floor and in the Senate laid over for inclusion in an omnibus bill.
Send a Letter of Support for the Tourism Industry Recovery Grants
We would like to show broad industry support for the Tourism Industry Recovery Grants. Please consider writing a letter to the Senate and House Committee Chairs, asking for their support of SF 1794/HF 232. Letters should be addressed to:
Senator Bobby Joe Champion, Chair
Senate Jobs and Economic Development Committee
3401 Minnesota Senate Building
St. Paul, MN 55155
Representative Hodan Hassan, Chair
House Economic Develop. Finance & Policy Committee
597 State Office Building
St. Paul, MN 55155
Letters may be emailed to:
[email protected]
[email protected]
Please also send me a separate copy of your letter, [email protected].
Thank you!