FRANKFORT, Ky. (Aug. 30, 2024) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced $720,000 in new grant funding is available for Kentucky Trail Towns to repair, enhance and promote projects that boost quality of life in Kentucky communities while attracting visitors from across the commonwealth and around the world.
“Kentuckians and visitors alike deserve world-class opportunities to get outdoors, make memories and enjoy our beautiful state. Investing in our Trail Towns will make these experiences more accessible, while also contributing to our booming $13.8 billion tourism industry,” said Gov. Beshear. “These are the types of investments that improve quality of life for our families, help attract future business and travelers and drive more folks from across the world to make our state their new Kentucky home.”
This year, Gov. Beshear signed House Bill 1, allocating $720,000 in funding to support a new Kentucky Trail Town grant program. Certified Kentucky Trail Towns are eligible for up to $30,000 in funding for recreational projects, including trail development and maintenance, project enhancements and marketing efforts. The application process opens Sept. 3, 2024, with a deadline of Nov. 30, 2024. Applications will be available online and instructions will be sent directly to each certified Kentucky Trail Town.
The Kentucky Trail Town program is a tourism and economic development program designed to provide a strategic plan for communities to capitalize on recreation opportunities. Each of Kentucky’s 29 Trail Towns have made the public commitment to share their outdoor opportunities, culture, history and stories with guests seeking adventure.
“This grant funding marks an exciting milestone for Kentucky’s certified Trail Towns. It will support efforts to promote and expand outdoor recreation in Kentucky, driving more visitors and also benefiting the quality of life for our fellow Kentuckians,” said Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet Secretary Lindy Casebier. “Our Trail Towns offer unparalleled access to the commonwealth’s premier outdoor assets, and this funding will help strengthen the program and incentivize more communities to join.”
“The Trail Town program is a natural fit for Kentucky State Parks, and we are happy to help deliver these funds to these communities,” said Kentucky Department of Parks Commissioner Russ Meyer. “We are thrilled Gov. Beshear and state leaders continue to see the importance of investing in outdoor recreation across Kentucky.”
“I am very excited and thankful for the funding supported by my colleagues in the Kentucky General Assembly for the Kentucky Trail Town Program. This funding helps promote, sustain, and attract future tourism across the commonwealth,” said Senator Matt Deneen. “The Kentucky General Assembly recognizes the efforts and impact of tourism and the importance of providing all Kentuckians with outdoor recreational opportunities. It is my hope this funding will help incentivize other communities to join the Kentucky Trail Town Program, which benefits both residents and tourists alike.”
Today’s Kentucky Trail Town grant announcement builds on recent economic momentum in the commonwealth, including within the tourism industry.
Since the beginning of his administration, Gov. Beshear has announced more than 1,000 private-sector new-location and expansion projects totaling nearly $32 billion in announced investments, creating nearly 55,000 jobs. This is the highest investment figure secured during the tenure of any governor in the commonwealth’s history.
In May of this year, Gov. Beshear announced that 2023 was the best year on record for tourism, with $13.8 billion in economic impact and 95,222 jobs. This was the second straight record-breaking year for tourism, with 2022 generating $12.9 billion in economic impact and 91,668 jobs.
In November 2023, Gov. Beshear announced that the commonwealth broke an all-time record with nine new tourism development projects set to generate an estimated $292.1 million in economic investment. These projects also are expected to create 550 jobs once operational. Already this year, state leaders have approved six tourism development projects with $181.7 million in estimated investment that will create more than 450 jobs.
The state’s bourbon and spirits industry recorded its best year for growth in 2022, with over $2.1 billion in new investments and approximately 700 new jobs for Kentucky residents. The sector followed with a strong 2023, including $713.8 million in new investments and 229 full-time jobs. Since the start of his administration, Gov. Beshear has announced roughly 100 new location and expansion projects within the bourbon and spirits sector, contributing to over $4.2 billion in new investments and more than 1,800 full-time jobs for Kentuckians.
Kentucky’s impressive economic success over the last four years is a direct reflection of the Beshear administration’s continued investments in the tourism industry.
In 2022, Gov. Beshear announced $75 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to boost the state’s tourism industry and economy. Previously, the Governor dedicated $5.3 million in federal funding to 103 tourism and destination marketing organizations in 88 Kentucky counties.
Gov. Beshear has long been an advocate for legislation that supports tourism and Kentucky State Parks, most recently signing House Joint Resolution 56, which released $71 million for capital construction projects at Kentucky State Parks, including building system upgrades, accommodation improvements and recreational amenity enhancements. Gov. Beshear also signed House Bill 6, allocating over $66 million for state park upgrades for various state parks.
For more information on Kentucky State Parks, visit parks.ky.gov. For more information on exploring Kentucky’s great outdoors, including Kentucky Trail Towns, visit Kentuckytourism.com.