Arkansas Tourism Development (Act 291 of 1997, as amended)
The Arkansas Tourism Development Act provides incentives for qualified new or expanding tourism facilities and attractions. The program applies to cultural or historical sites, recreational or entertainment facilities, areas of natural phenomenon or scenic beauty, theme parks, amusement parks, indoor or outdoor plays or music shows, botanical gardens, and cultural or educational centers. Lodging facilities may also qualify provided the approved costs exceed $5 million, and the facility is attached to a convention center containing a minimum of 75,000 square feet or the facility itself contains a minimum of 12,000 square feet of meeting or exhibit space.
To qualify, a project:
- must cost a minimum of $500,000 in a high unemployment county or $1,000,000 in any other county.
- must be open to the public on a regular basis
- must develop a marketing plan that targets at least 25% of its visitors from out-of-state residents
- must have a significant and positive economic impact on the state
- must not adversely affect existing employment in the state
Qualified and approved businesses will be eligible to recover up to 25% of initial investment for projects located in high-unemployment counties and 15% for all other projects through a sales tax credit against state sales taxes collected from visitors to the attraction. The business could also be eligible for income tax credits based on a percentage of full-time permanent employees working at the tourism attraction project. To request additional information about this program, call the Arkansas Economic Development Commission at 501-682-5277.
Arkansas Tourism Attraction Feasibility Study Grant Program
This grant program is designed to assist cities and
counties in Arkansas with feasibility studies pertaining to tourism attraction projects. A
tourism feasibility study is research conducted for the purpose of determining the
possibility and potentiality of a specific tourism attraction within the city or county
boundaries. Only incorporated cities and counties in Arkansas are eligible for the
one-to-one matching grant. Applicants may apply for up to $15,000 in reimbursable matching
funds. The grants will be awarded in three cycles with the deadlines for applications on
the last Friday in July, the last Friday in September, and the last Friday in November.
For additional information about this program, call the Arkansas Department of Parks and
Tourism at 501-682-5240.
Grant Introduction and Application
Send e-mails to donna.perrin@arkansas.gov.
Additional resources on communities in Arkansas and financial incentives are available at: