WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker and Thad Cochran today announced the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has approved a $75,000 grant for the CREATE Foundation in Tupelo to expand the capacity of the Mississippi Hills Institute for Heritage Resource Management organization and train more than 100 people to help grow the region’s local heritage tourism industry.

“The Mississippi Hills Heritage Area includes a multitude of historical, cultural, and recreational opportunities throughout north Mississippi,” Sen. Wicker said.  “This funding will enable local communities in the region to develop initiatives to promote and market these important tourism resources to the widest audience possible.”

The Institute was launched in 2007 to create a strong heritage tourism sector within the regional economy and assist communities with conservation, interpretation, development and marketing of historic, cultural, natural, scenic and recreational assets.  ARC funds will be used to implement elements of a three-year strategic plan developed by the Institute.  These elements include: training and technical assistance workshops for community leaders on heritage tourism, building partnerships with other state and local organizations, creating an area management plan, and expanding the expertise of the Institute’s board of directors. 

Cultural heritage tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors of the tourism industry, and spending by cultural tourists is significantly higher than the general tourism industry average. 

In addition to the ARC funds, local sources will provide $100,000, bringing the total project funding to $175,000.