Three local organizations have been selected to receive a combined $19,600 from the State of Iowa’s tourism and travel agency. The program funds tourism-related marketing initiatives, meetings, and events that benefit both local economies, and the state’s economy with awards ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 with a 20 percent local match. The City of Manning was awarded $9,100 to expand its digital marketing footprint locally and beyond. The Danish Windmill in Elk Horn received $6,900 for its 2024 multi-tier marketing campaign, and the Community Foundation of Western Iowa was selected for $3,600 to help fund the organization’s 11th annual Southwest Iowa Art Tour and Marketing program. Iowa Tourism Office Manager Amy Zeigler says, “We’re pleased to invest in campaigns that work to change the perception of tourism in Iowa and encourage more out-of-state visitation. These projects will help us continue the momentum and growth of our industry.” In 2022 visitors to Iowa spent more than $6.9 billion in the state, an increase of 13 percent over the prior year. Iowa tourism supports nearly 69,000 jobs in the state and generated more than $1.1 billion in state and local tax revenues last year. The funding presented locally was part of a $398,000 announcement of awards from the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA). A complete list of recipients is included below.
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