Rep. Cleaver Highlights $1.6 Million Investment in American Rescue Plan Funds to Build Visitors Center and Boost Tourism in Saline County, Missouri
(Kansas City, MO) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) applauds the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) $1.6 million grant to Saline County, Missouri to support tourism by building a new visitors center. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, which was supported by Congressman Cleaver and signed into law by President Biden last year.
“The American Rescue Plan is once again delivering for the people of Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District,” said Congressman Cleaver. “I am thrilled to see $1.6 million in federal funding heading toward Saline County to boost tourism, stimulate economic activity, and create good-paying jobs for hardworking families. With the construction of a new visitor center, Saline County will be able to attract more Americans and show all that rural Missouri has to offer! The economic development spurred by this investment will be felt for generations to come—and I’ll keep fighting for additional targeted investments that will support communities and workers throughout the Show Me State.”
This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Pioneer Trails Regional Planning Commission (PTRPC). EDA funds PTRPC to bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment and create jobs.
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.
Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee; Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Housing, Community Development, and Insurance; member of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress; member of the Committee on Homeland Security; and a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus.