Any community is lucky to have a robust tourism industry.

Tourism brings in money to local hotels, restaurants and stores, on top of the money spent at the tourist sites themselves.

In that regard, southcentral Kentucky is fortunate to have a strong tourism industry across many sectors, from cars to caves.

One of the primary tourism draws is our caves, rivers and surrounding natural beauty.

The tourism efforts around those features got a much-needed boost recently.

Gov. Andy Beshear announced the state is providing tourism commissions $30,000 grants to upgrade four areas in southcentral Kentucky known as trail towns.

Grants were provided for 19 trail towns statewide that total more than $540,000 to support tourism and recreation by funding the repair, enhancement or promotion of projects.

“Our Kentucky Trail Town communities play a big role in contributing to Kentucky’s $13.8 billion tourism industry, highlighting the best outdoor recreational experiences across the commonwealth,” Beshear said in a statement.

Locally, the money is going to efforts centered in Brownsville, Cave City, Horse Cave, Munfordville and Park City.

The money will be used for projects such as signage, weather-resistant benches, ADA-accessible ramps along the Green River, wayfinding signs and trail upgrades.

Park City Tourism Executive Director Linda Watts summed up what the grant means for her organization:

“This is life-changing money for us. We’re one of the smaller commissions in the state. That’s more revenue than we make in one year.”

We are thankful for the support given to these efforts that boost our entire region.