Kansas Tourism has announced that $100,000 in grants will be distributed to businesses across the state to promote agritourism. The businesses are the first recipients of the new Barn Adaptation and Restoration Needs (BARN) grant program. The program was created to help restore and revitalize old barns across the state and further efforts to expand agritourism across Kansas. The state began promoting agritourism in 2004 after the passage of the Kansas Agritourism Promotion Act. The act provides free agritourism promotion through the Kansas Tourism office, a layer of limited liability for agritourism businesses and education and resource opportunities. “The BARN grant is vital to our efforts to foster and support innovation and sustainability in our agricultural communities,” said Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland. “These funds not only will help preserve the rich agricultural traditions of Kansas but also pave the way for new and creative agritourism ventures that will benefit local residents and visitors alike.” The BARN grants are matching-cost grants, meaning a total of $200,000 will be spent on the six projects across the state. “We are excited to see these projects come to reality and contribute to the future of Kansas agritourism,” said Kansas Tourism Director Bridgette Jobe. “By revitalizing these unique structures, we are not only preserving our past, but also creating new economic opportunities that will draw visitors to experience the heart and soul of Kansas.” Source: KSNT 27 News
