Tourism Department initiates new accessibility grant

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Cody Johnson

Communications Director, Tourism Department

Cody.johnson2@td.nm.gov

505-470-0060

May 6, 2025

Tourism Department initiates new accessibility grant

SANTA FE, NM – The New Mexico Tourism Department (NMTD) is offering a new extension to the department’s Destination Forward Program that focuses on improving accessibility at tourism-related facilities.

NMTD recently announced the creation of the Destination Forward Accessibility Pilot Grant which offers up a special $100,000 fund to exclusively support the construction and installation of universal changing tables in qualified facilities.

This special grant opportunity is designed to help empower New Mexico communities to become inclusive and welcoming destinations and enhance accessibility for tourism in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. NMTD will award projects that are designed to help make travel more accessible for people with disabilities and their caregivers by increasing public restroom access.

“Through these special funds granted by the Legislature to the Tourism Department, we will strive to give New Mexico and its various tourism projects and destinations more national and global relevance in accessible tourism development and management,” said Acting Tourism Secretary Lancing Adams .

Grant awards will range from $5,000 to $50,000 and must be expended by June 1, 2026. This grant will be implemented in partnership with Destination Accessibility™ and Changing Spaces New Mexico. Applications for this grant will close May 23, 2025, at 5:00 pm.

During the 2025 Legislative Session, the Legislature earmarked this $100,000 fund within a $1.9 million special appropriation authorized for Destination Forward in FY26. The Destination Forward Program, now entering its third year in fiscal year 2026, provides grant funding to local and tribal governments to support tourism-related infrastructure projects.

For more information about application deadlines and requirements and eligible entities and projects, visit www.newmexico.org/industry .

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About New Mexico True : The New Mexico Tourism Department created the New Mexico True brand in response to common misconceptions that New Mexico is a dry, arid, barren desert state with nothing to do. Built upon the idea that a trip to New Mexico is an “adventure that feeds the soul,” the brand advertising campaign provides a platform for unified messaging for more than 50 communities and 450 businesses around the state.