Contacts: Carla Vigue, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2162
Lisa Marshall, Department of Tourism, 608-267-3773
MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle today announced that local economies throughout Wisconsin are projected to receive a boost in traveler spending of $18 million as a direct result of the Department of Tourism’s Joint Effort Marketing (JEM) grant program. Nearly $1.2 million in JEM grants were awarded in 2009 to 55 non-profit organizations across the state to provide marketing assistance for special events, sales promotions and destination marketing campaigns.
“Tourism is a core strength of Wisconsin’s economy” Governor Doyle said. “It’s clear the funds awarded through the Joint Effort Marketing program are having a major impact, boosting local economies throughout the state through higher traveler spending, job creation and tax revenues.”
Traveler spending was up 2.7 percent in 2008, from $12.8 billion to $13.1 billion, despite last summer’s severe weather, high gas prices and a national recession that began to grip the nation in the fall. Tourism is one of the state’s top three industries and is the main employer in many communities, supporting over 200,000 full time jobs.
“Every dollar awarded through the Joint Effort Marketing grant program last year produced a 10-fold return-on-investment while allowing individual communities to tap into the power of travel and make an impact on their local economies,” Tourism Secretary Kelli Trumble said. “The JEM grant program keeps Wisconsin’s tourism industry viable in a very competitive market.”
JEM grant funds are available to non-profit organizations for the promotion of Wisconsin tourism events and destinations. The state can fund up to 75 percent of a project’s first year advertising and marketing costs and provides support for second and third year projects, but with decreasing amounts for funding each year until projects become self-sustaining. Grant applications are evaluated for creativity, operating and marketing plan, and projected financial return on investment. Projects funded in fiscal 2009 are as varied as the state’s tourism industry.
One example, an $18,340 JEM grant awarded in the Fox Cities area generated 104 room nights and an estimated economic impact of $2.9 million for the local area during February 2009. The funds were used for “Wicked Good Times in the Fox Cities” sales promotion, which promoted hotel stays packaged with the Broadway-touring musical “Wicked.”
To view a map of JEM grant funded projects in fiscal year 2009, visit: http://www.wisgov.state.wi.us/docview.asp?docid=17401.
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