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Fox Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau awards grants for kayak rental stations

Five local communities received grants

Village of Hortonville Check Presentation 1

The Fox Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau (FCCVB) has awarded five Tourism Development Grants to help fund kayak rental stations at area parks and lakes. A total of $70,000 in grant funds was awarded to five communities served by FCCVB. Grant funds were for the acquisition and installation of kayak equipment and storage facilities.

“The popularity of outdoor recreation in tourism, coupled with the visitor interest in experiencing our beautiful water assets, were the foundation of this grant program,” said Pam Seidl, Executive Director of the Fox Cities Cites CVB. “These rental kiosks add another opportunity for visitors and residents to get out and enjoy the water.”

Kayak rental stations are now found at Fritse Park – Village of Fox Crossing, Telulah Park – City of Appleton, Sunset Park – Village of Kimberly, Black Otter Lake – Village of Hortonville, and Herb & Dolly Smith Park and Doty Parks – Neenah.

“The support from the FCCVB has been instrumental in supporting access to rentable kayaks in Kimberly and allowing people to experience views of the Fox River from a whole new perspective,” said Holly Femal, Community Enrichment Director for the Village of Kimberly. “We are thankful that installing a system with Rent.fun has allowed us to provide a secure way for people to access kayaks in Sunset Park.”

Since its inception, the FCCVB has awarded nearly $12 million in grants through its Tourism Development Grant program. The program accepts applications for costs related to development of Fox Cities visitor attractions, amenities, and interactive, hands-on experiences as well high-impact traveling exhibitions and certain types of signage. All projects must be likely to generate overnight hotel stays or enhance the visitor experience in the area.

The Fox Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau strengthens the local economy by investing in and promoting our community. Visitors to the Fox Cities, which is comprised of 19 local communities, spent $571 million in the area in 2023. Spending directly supported 4,947 jobs in the Fox Cities tourism industry with employee income of $147.1 million. www.foxcities.org