Baker-Polito Administration Announces $2 Million in Capital Grants to 34 Tourism Destinations

The DDC grants provide funding for projects that expand, construct, restore, or renovate Massachusetts tourism destinations and attractions, and aid in destination recovery and resiliency.  Their aim is to strengthen the Massachusetts economy through destination development projects that enhance tourism resources and infrastructure, especially physical or structural upgrades that have a lifespan of greater than five years.

“Massachusetts’ tourism and cultural sectors are vital to the fabric of the Commonwealth, and will continue to be an important part of our economic recovery in the coming months,” said Governor Charlie Baker.  “We are proud to support these facilities which are also great examples of the types of unique places that would benefit from our spending plan to put $100 million in federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act toward cultural facilities and tourism assets across the state.”

“Cultural facilities are an important part of our travel and tourism industry in Massachusetts,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “The impact of these capital grants will go far beyond the destinations and attractions receiving them by attracting the visitors who will patronize local small businesses, contributing to local economic recovery and growth.”

Examples of projects that received funding include:

• The Clark Museum in Williamstown, to improve accessibility and safety, and ensure stable environmental control for the comfort of visitors and the preservation of collections.
• Battleship Cove in Fall River, to develop an immersive exhibit to interpret a working Vietnam War-era helicopter hangar.
• The Nantucket Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum, to make repairs to the roof, replace windows, and develop additional outdoor programming space.
• Old Sturbridge Village, to make improvements to the circa 1832 Center Meetinghouse.
• The Discovery Museum in Acton, to support a comprehensive project to improve the visibility and safety of its location.

​“As we continue down the path of economic recovery, these grants provide critical support for the travel and tourism sector’s recovery,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy.  “I want to thank the team at MOTT, under the leadership of Executive Director Orrall, for administering this program, which will have a lasting, positive impact on this key industry that has weathered the pandemic through creativity and community backing.”

“Since Massachusetts fully reopened on May 29, visitors from neighboring states have enthusiastically returned to enjoy our state’s wonderful visitor assets,” said MOTT Executive Director Keiko M. Orrall. “These grants will further solidify Massachusetts as a state fully committed to its travel and tourism industry.”

“For many community organizations in Western Mass like the Clark Art Institute, state investments are critical for maintaining operations and continuing to provide the invaluable resources and services they offer to their communities,” said State Senator Adam G. Hinds.

“I am delighted to join in the announcement of the FY22 Tourism Destination Development Capital Grants. I proudly joined my colleagues in the House in support of this program as part of the economic development bill, and I am happy to see these resources deployed in my district to support the Clark Art Institute and the Town of Lanesborough Pavilion,” said State Representative John Barrett III. “I commend the Baker-Polito Administration for their partnership in supporting cultural arts and tourism.”

“This grant from the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism is so important to our ability to enhance our facilities to best serve our visitors,” said Olivier Meslay, Hardymon Director of the Clark Art Institute. “From making improvements to our walking trails and bridges to upgrading accessibility inside our buildings with new door amenities, we will be able to make immediate changes that will benefit our visitors.  The Clark is deeply appreciative of the state’s partnership and support.”

“The Clark has been a cornerstone of our regional economy for decades, and we are grateful for the Commonwealth’s support of the Clark’s mission and value as a cultural centerpiece,” said Andy Hogeland, Chair, Williamstown Select Board. “The support for the Clark and other cultural attractions in Williamstown helps the entire region maintain its attraction as a leading destination for tourists, helping our hotels, restaurants and the larger community to give a warm welcome to our visitors.”

The DDC Grant Program was created through the Economic Development Bill and is funded in the FY22 Capital Plan. Applicant eligibility selection criteria included any public, nonprofit agency, 501(c)3, 501(c)6, which has been in operation in Massachusetts for at least two consecutive years since January 2019, and is in good standing with taxes and all license and registration requirements in the Commonwealth. Projects have a one-to-one match requirement and need to completed by June 30, 2022.

In April, The Clark also received an award through the related Travel and Tourism Recovery (TTR) Grant Program for its “Go West” campaign to drive stronger attendance from eastern Massachusetts and New England. Both the DDC and TTR programs are in alignment with the Baker-Polito Administration’s Partnerships for Recovery Plan to help stabilize and grow the Massachusetts economy. The plan focuses on getting people back to work, supporting small businesses, fostering innovation, revitalizing downtowns and ensuring housing stability. A $100 million investment in the state’s cultural facilities and tourism assets is among the economic development priorities in the recently filed plan to immediately put to use a portion of the Commonwealth’s direct federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) aid.

Through Partnerships for Recovery, the Administration has awarded more than $700 million to small businesses, and has opened new grant programs to revitalize downtowns, create shared community spaces, support community foundations, and fund regional economic development projects. In January, the Administration awarded nearly $10 million in COVID relief to 183 cultural nonprofit organizations, including the Williamstown Theatre Festival and Images Cinema, through the Cultural Organization Economic Recovery Grant Program administered by the Mass Cultural Council.

About Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism (MOTT)
MOTT’s mission is to promote Massachusetts as a leisure and business travel destination for domestic and international markets and to contribute to the growth of the Commonwealth’s economy. For information about visiting Massachusetts, go to VisitMA.com.

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