U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $4.5 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds to Boost Tourism Through Improvements to Recreational Amenities in Bisbee, Arizona

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $4.5 million grant to city of Bisbee, Arizona, to support the recovery of the tourism and outdoor recreation sector with development of a new, shared-use trail in the city. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan.

This grant will facilitate construction of a shared-use path for pedestrians and cyclists as part of the Cochise County segment of the Sun Corridor Trail. The EDA investment will be matched with $49,863 in local funds and is expected to help create 233 jobs, retain 92 jobs, and generate $2.8 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

“President Biden recognizes the vital contribution the travel and tourism industry makes to the American economy,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA investment in Bisbee will help the city’s tourism sector recover, grow and build back stronger for the future.”

“The Economic Development Administration is dedicated to working with communities to assist their locally-driven strategies to recover and rebuild from the pandemic,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This project will provide a new outdoor recreational amenity for Bisbee that will attract visitors and support the local tourist economy.”

“Arizona’s tourism industry fuels our economy. Today’s funds will boost Bisbee’s tourism as they continue recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic – creating hundreds of jobs, enhancing outdoor recreation, and generating economic growth,” said Senator Kyrsten Sinema.

“These long-overdue upgrades will help create safe, reliable sidewalks and bike paths for residents and visitors in Bisbee to support local jobs and tourism,” said Senator Mark Kelly.

This project is funded under EDA’s $240 million competitive American Rescue Plan Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation program. EDA awarded $510 million in 2021 to all 50 states and territories. 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.

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.