The New Mexico Economic Development Department's Outdoor Recreation Division has awarded 41 recipients the first-ever Outdoor Marketing Grants to support recreation efforts and expand the reach of live events in 17 counties. That includes her $13,400 to Sandoval County.
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham created the Department of Outdoor Recreation in 2019, identifying outdoor recreation as a key target area for economic diversification. Since then, ORD has invested more than $18 million to fund outdoor access through the Outdoor Recreation Trails+, Outdoor Equity Fund, and Outdoor Marketing Grant programs.
“This innovative grant program represents a new collaboration between the Outdoor Recreation Department and the Department of Tourism to support programs and expand events,” said Mark Roper, Acting EDD Cabinet Secretary. . “Of the 41 grant recipients, 26 live in rural areas where building an outdoor economy is essential to creating jobs and diversifying the economy.”
OMG applicants were encouraged to request funding to enhance their outdoor marketing efforts or apply for event sponsorship. The grants will enable award recipients to broadly expand the scope of their marketing efforts through new and enhanced channels.
The program's temporary funding source was part of the American Rescue Plan Act, implemented by the U.S. Economic Development Administration in collaboration with the New Mexico Tourism Authority.
“ORD is proud to support a variety of outdoor recreation events through the OMG program. The much-needed funding will help individuals strengthen their connection to the outdoors and families continue to build traditions of being outdoors together. ” said ORD Director Karina Armijo. “From one-day to multi-day events to long-term marketing tools like printed guides and informative websites, all funded efforts lead to healthy outcomes that boost our outdoor recreation economy. .”
The 41 grantees will receive $873,872, and each organization will bring in an additional $1,181,080 in matching funds. More than 63% of OMG beneficiaries are based in rural areas of his 17 counties in the state. Grants ranged from $10,000 to $30,000. The fund will support his 10 events and 31 comprehensive marketing efforts for nonprofits, counties and municipalities in New Mexico.
