The Sconi

The more than $70 million in federally funded grants to Wisconsin's lodging industry is "a shot in the arm" that the industry needs, Gov. Tony Evers said in the same news release that announced the grants.

The grants, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act enacted in March, provided up to $2 million released on Aug. 6 to 888 Wisconsin lodging businesses "to help them offset some of the losses they incurred during the pandemic," the governor's news release said.

“Members of Wisconsin's lodging industry are essential to tourism in our state, and they were hit very hard by the coronavirus pandemic," Evers said in the news release. "Tourists and residents alike depend on their services when visiting or traveling around our beautiful state."

The state's lodging industry, especially that portion that stayed open "under difficult circumstances," is appreciated, Evers said.

"We are pleased to be able to provide a shot in the arm to an industry that needs it," he said.

Last year, Wisconsin’s tourism industry managed to support more than 157,000 jobs and have a $17.3 billion impact on the state's economy. So far this year, the state's lodging industry is recovering at higher than 2020 numbers as pandemic-weary travelers make up for missed vacations and reconnect with friends and family.

The American Rescue Plan Act funds were administered by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, which planned to release additional grants to lodging businesses, according to the news release.

"Getting funds into the hands of businesses that have been hard hit by the pandemic is a priority of Evers," Wisconsin Department of Revenue Secretary Peter Barca said in the news release. "I am pleased our staff is able to assist with this effort."

The grants were in addition to the more than $140 million in The American Rescue Plan Act funds given to Wisconsin's tourism and entertainment industries, as announced by the governor's office in June.