MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Tourism awarded $80,000 in Tourist Information Center (TIC) grants. TIC grants provide funding to help nonprofit organizations, municipalities or Native American tribes operating a regional tourist information center.

“Giving travelers access to information in a safe and responsible way is more important than ever as people are eager to get out and explore after feeling cooped up at home. Our regional information centers are a valuable interface for thousands of travelers each year,” said Tourism Secretary-designee Sara Meaney. “In light of widespread losses in local travel promotion marketing revenue, we saw an increase in the number of grant applications in this round. These important grants will provide needed support for tourism entities to lift their communities and the whole of our industry as quickly as possible.”

To be eligible for a grant, the Travel Information Center must be housed in a key location for travelers to stop by, have trained staff, track visitors and provide information on the region and the state. TIC grants can be used for staffing costs, standard display equipment and promotional materials such as signage to promote the region, personal protective equipment for staffed centers and health and sanitation measures. TIC grant applications are accepted and reviewed by a committee twice each fiscal year. In fiscal year 2020, the Department supported 19 different Travel Information Centers, awarding $160,000 statewide, and serving an estimated 835,000 travelers.

Tourist Information Center Grant Recipients:

Algoma, Algoma Area Chamber of Commerce - $500

Ashland, Friends of the Center Alliance, Ltd. - $6,400

Bayfield, Bayfield Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Bureau - $3,000

Beloit, Visit Beloit - $4,676

Boulder Junction, Boulder Junction Chamber of Commerce - $1,008

Burlington, Burlington Chamber of Commerce - $1,500

Door County, Destination Door County - $7,500

Eagle River, Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center - $1,008

Eau Claire TWWC (Menomonie), Visit Eau Claire - $5,000

Hayward, Hayward Lakes Visitor & Convention Bureau - $1,500

Kenosha, Kenosha Area Convention & Visitors Bureau - $7,500

La Crosse, Explore La Crosse - $3,500

Madeline Island, Madeline Island Chamber of Commerce - $1,008

Manitowoc, Manitowoc Area Convention & Visitor Bureau - $1,750

Marinette, Marinette Recreation Department - $2,000

Platteville, Platteville Chamber of Commerce - $5,500

Prairie du Chien, Prairie du Chien Chamber of Commerce - $7,400

Racine, Racine County Convention & Visitors Bureau - $2,500

Shawano, Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center - $1,000

St. Croix Falls, Polk County Tourism - $3,000

Stevens Point, Stevens Point Area Convention & Visitors Bureau - $3,500

Superior, Superior-Douglas County Chamber - $7,500

Wausau, Wausau/Central Wisconsin Convention & Visitors Bureau - $1,750