U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1.6 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds to Build Mardi Gras Museum to Support Tourism in Lake Charles, Louisiana

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.6 million grant to the Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau, Lake Charles, Louisiana, to help build the New Imperial Calcasieu Mardi Gras Museum. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan.

This project will boost tourism to the area and provide the cornerstone for all things Mardi Gras in Southwest Louisiana and generate a year-long cyclical economic benefit through meeting and exhibit space. The EDA investment will be matched with $400,000 in local funds and is expected to create 88 jobs, retain 66 jobs, and generate $1.7 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

“The Biden-Harris Administration is dedicated to supporting the travel, tourism and outdoor recreation sector as it works to recover and rebuild following the pandemic,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. “This EDA investment will attract new visitors to Southwest Louisiana supporting a stronger, more resilient regional economy.”

“The Economic Development Administration plays an important role in supporting community-led economic development strategies designed to boost coronavirus recovery and response efforts,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “Lake Charles is home to one of the largest Mardi Gras celebrations in the country and this museum will attract additional visitors year-round to support local businesses.”

This project is funded under EDA’s $240 million competitive American Rescue Plan Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation program. EDA awarded $510 million in grants to all 50 states and territories in 2021. The two programs are designed to accelerate the recovery of communities that rely on the travel, tourism and outdoor recreation sectors. Effective May 26, 2022, EDA has officially closed all of its American Rescue Plan programs for applications. The $3 billion program funding will be awarded on a rolling basis through September 30, 2022.

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Imperial Calcasieu Regional Planning and Development Commission (IMCAL). EDA funds IMCAL to bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment and create jobs.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.