$393,000 in ARC grants awarded to Eastern Kentucky

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Gov. and Mrs. Steve Beshear today launched Kentucky’s Adventure Tourism initiative in Knott County. This plan opens more areas of the state as tourist destinations for biking, hiking, camping, boating, fishing, hunting, off-roading and horseback riding.

“Here in Kentucky we can offer wilderness, with the Daniel Boone National Forest, the Cumberland Mountains, the Red River Gorge and a set of lakes and rivers unmatched by any other state,” said Gov. Beshear.

Kentucky’s Adventure Tourism initiative allows the state to enter into agreements with private property owners for the public use of land for outdoor activities without fear of facing liability issues.

Gov. Beshear applauded the bipartisan effort behind the passage of the Adventure Tourism bill. Sens. Brandon Smith (R-Hazard) and Robert Stivers (R-Manchester) and Reps. Leslie Combs (D-Pike), Robin Webb (D-Grayson) and Keith Hall (D-Phelps) co-sponsored Senate Bill 196 in the 2008 legislative session.

Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo also played a key role in helping pass the legislation.

“This is an exciting time for tourism in our state, and I am happy to help celebrate it here in Eastern Kentucky,” said the lieutenant governor. "We are placing an increased focus on encouraging travel in our own backyard and exploring the outdoor recreation opportunities right here in the Commonwealth.”

The governor also announced that the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) recently approved his recommendation to award 24 grants, administered through the Governor’s Office for Local Development (GOLD), benefiting 17 counties in Eastern Kentucky. The grants, worth nearly $393,000, will fund Adventure Tourism projects with an emphasis on trail riding.

“The ARC program is a critical part of Kentucky’s drive to accomplish self-sustaining economic development and increased quality of life for communities and citizens of Appalachia,” the governor said.

Tourism is Kentucky’s third-largest industry, with a $10.1 billion annual economic impact. It currently generates 175,000 jobs in the state and $987 million in tax revenue. The commonwealth’s state park system is regarded as one of the best in the nation. It is made up of 53 state parks and historical sites, 17 of which offer overnight accommodations and are considered “resort parks” – the most of any state.

For more information about Kentucky’s Unbridled Adventure, visit http://kentuckytourism.com/outdoors/.

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