Communities can apply for up to $50,000 to bring tourism projects to completion

SANTA FE – New Mexico communities and local stakeholders looking to bring tourism products to life can do so now through the New Mexico Tourism Department’s Rural Pathway Program.

The grant component of the Rural Pathway Program provides up to $50,000 in matching funds to eligible entities looking to complete and implement tourism-related projects. Eligible entities include local and tribal governments and non-profit organizations.

“The New Mexico Tourism Department has the resources to help rural destinations bring ideas for tourism-related infrastructure and products to life through this program,” Cabinet Secretary Jen Paul Schroer said. “We strongly encourage communities and local stakeholders with an idea or an interest in developing local and rural tourism development to work with us through this program.”

Eligible project types are wide-ranging, and may include museums, destination wayfinding, thematic trails, interpretive planning and agritourism, among others.

An example of a tourism product brought to life through the help of this program is the Stories from our Streets walking tour in Silver City that highlights the history along Bullard Street. Through the Rural Pathway Program, the Town of Silver City was able to document nearly 20 sites for website, audio and print material production.

Eligible entities looking for more in-depth support to develop a tourism-related project may qualify for the tourism incubator segment of the Rural Pathway Program, in which NMTD works with the project’s steering committee to define the project, develop a strategy for engaging stakeholders and prepare the project for funding and implementation.

Individuals interested in this program can learn more about the application process and eligibility requirements at www.newmexico.org/rpp. 

Read the full news release here.