ORD News:

SANTA FE — New Mexico Economic Development Department Acting Cabinet Secretary Jon Clark has announced a new grant opportunity that has been released by the Outdoor Recreation Division (ORD) to assist with marketing outdoor recreation ventures.

The pilot program is run by ORD, a division of the Economic Development Department, and applications will be open until Dec. 31, 2023.

The objective of the Outdoor Marketing Grant is to expand opportunities for participation in the outdoor recreation industry. The grant will support communities’ and eligible nonprofits’ investments in their outdoor recreation marketing programs. Reaching a greater audience increases outdoor participation, stewardship of ecosystems, and outdoor access. Awards will range from $15,000 to $30,000, with over $800,000 in total funding available.

Grant funding may be used for event sponsorships, print brochures, outdoor recreation maps, guidebooks, digital and print ads, website development, and other marketing materials to promote local or regional outdoor recreation opportunities in New Mexico. ORD received this funding as part of EDA’s implementation of the American Rescue Plan Act in partnership with the New Mexico Tourism Department. The competitive, federally funded grant is eligible to Tribes, Pueblos, and Nations; municipalities; counties; nonprofits; K-12 schools/districts; and colleges/universities.

The full grant guide and application can be found on the ORD website at NMOutside.com. After the Dec.  31 deadline, an external review committee will evaluate applications. Questions about the Outdoor Marketing Grant can be directed to Deputy Director AJ Jones at AJ.Jones@edd.nm.gov.