When it comes to competing in the sports tourism market, Delaware is not playing games.
Two years ago, the BMW Championship – the PGA Tour’s first visit to Delaware – generated more than $30-million for the regional economy. Delaware has also hosted youth and college tournaments in lacrosse, volleyball and women’s basketball.
The facilities and organizations behind these and other potential events can now apply for a share of the Sports Tourism Capital Investment Fund, starting March 1st. Currently, $11.3-million is budgeted.
According to Delaware Tourism Office Director Jessica Welch, existing venues and organizations could use the funding to improve their facilities – “to add seating, to add new fields, anything like that that they could use to really improve their facility and make it more competitive.”
New ventures, with some level of funding, could also seek a portion of the Capital Investment Fund, made possible from the Fiscal Year 2024 Bond Bill.
“This could help a facility that’s got the funding from a private source, but just needs a little bit more to kind of get the ground broken and get moving on it. They could apply for the funding to get the process going,” Welch said.
To help organizations learn more about the Sports Tourism Capital Investment Fund, DTO has scheduled two informational webinars: Wednesday, February 21 at 11 a.m. and Wednesday, February 28 at 1 p.m. Pre-registration is required.
Applications will be accepted until April 12th at 4:00 p.m.
“Sports tourism is a growing industry in our state and the surrounding region, with millions of dollars spent each year by event participants, their families, and other attendees,” Governor John Carney said. “This fund will help keep Delaware’s sports tourism industry competitive by ensuring visitors can play at first-class facilities and enjoy the many benefits that our state has to offer while staying here.”
“As the $90 billion global sports tourism industry grows, this new fund provides us the opportunity to continue investing in our state’s sports venues to ensure Delaware remains top of mind for national and regional event decision makers for years to come,” Secretary of State Jeff Bullock said.
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