Wisconsin Tourism Awards $80k in Tourism Information Center Grants

MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Tourism awarded $80,000 in Tourist Information Center (TIC) grants. TIC grants provide funding to help nonprofit organizations, municipalities or Native American tribes operating a regional tourist information center.

“Giving travelers access to information in a safe and responsible way is more important than ever as people are eager to get out and explore after feeling cooped up at home. Our regional information centers are a valuable interface for thousands of travelers each year,” said Tourism Secretary-designee Sara Meaney. “In light of widespread losses in local travel promotion marketing revenue, we saw an increase in the number of grant applications in this round. These important grants will provide needed support for tourism entities to lift their communities and the whole of our industry as quickly as possible.”

To be eligible for a grant, the Travel Information Center must be housed in a key location for travelers to stop by, have trained staff, track visitors and provide information on the region and the state. TIC grants can be used for staffing costs, standard display equipment and promotional materials such as signage to promote the region, personal protective equipment for staffed centers and health and sanitation measures. TIC grant applications are accepted and reviewed by a committee twice each fiscal year. In fiscal year 2020, the Department supported 19 different Travel Information Centers, awarding $160,000 statewide, and serving an estimated 835,000 travelers.

Tourist Information Center Grant Recipients:

• Algoma, Algoma Area Chamber of Commerce - $500
• Ashland, Friends of the Center Alliance, Ltd. - $6,400
• Bayfield, Bayfield Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Bureau - $3,000
• Beloit, Visit Beloit - $4,676
• Boulder Junction, Boulder Junction Chamber of Commerce - $1,008
• Burlington, Burlington Chamber of Commerce - $1,500
• Door County, Destination Door County - $7,500
• Eagle River, Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center - $1,008
• Eau Claire TWWC (Menomonie), Visit Eau Claire - $5,000
• Hayward, Hayward Lakes Visitor & Convention Bureau - $1,500
• Kenosha, Kenosha Area Convention & Visitors Bureau - $7,500
• La Crosse, Explore La Crosse - $3,500
• Madeline Island, Madeline Island Chamber of Commerce - $1,008
• Manitowoc, Manitowoc Area Convention & Visitor Bureau - $1,750
• Marinette, Marinette Recreation Department - $2,000
• Platteville, Platteville Chamber of Commerce - $5,500
• Prairie du Chien, Prairie du Chien Chamber of Commerce - $7,400
• Racine, Racine County Convention & Visitors Bureau - $2,500
• Shawano, Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center - $1,000
• St. Croix Falls, Polk County Tourism - $3,000
• Stevens Point, Stevens Point Area Convention & Visitors Bureau - $3,500
• Superior, Superior-Douglas County Chamber - $7,500
• Wausau, Wausau/Central Wisconsin Convention & Visitors Bureau - $1,750