Sault Ste. Marie Awarded $2 Million to Enhance Sault Ste. Marie International 500 Raceway

The Sault Ste. Marie Convention  & Visitors Bureau was awarded $2 million by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration grant program to enhance the Sault Ste. Marie International 500 Raceway.

“This $2 million investment in the Sault will create or retain 50 good-paying jobs and help us continue to grow our Pure Michigan economy,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

“Investing in infrastructure is critical to Michigan’s economy and attracting visitors, including in the Upper Peninsula,” said Senator Gary Peters. “This grant will provide federal resources for upgrades at the International 500 Raceway that will help boost tourism, support local jobs and strengthen the economy.”

This project will contain building new roads, a parking lot and a vendor building, while also giving the raceway other upgrades that will help make it a year-round tourist destination. The EDA investment will be matched with $513,00 in local funds and is expected to retain 50 jobs and generate $2 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

This project is apart of EDA’s $240 million competitive American Rescue Plan Travel, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation program. In 2021, the EDA was able to award $510 million in grants to all 50 states and territories. As of May 26, applications for the American Rescue Plan closed and the $3 billion funding was awarded on a rolling basis that ended Sept. 30.