Indiana Destination Development Secretary Elaine Bedel has announced that - given USDOC approval, which is expected soon - the $5.6M that's the state's share of the Biden Administration's half-billion-dollar American Rescue Plan money will be spent on a major tourism marketing campaign unlike any the state has ever done.

Although the provisions of the relief bill permit funds to be used for infrastructure improvements, job training, economic development planning and other items, Indiana has chosen to spend it all on marketing on the theory that this will have the largest impact on the state's economy.

According to Ms. Bedell, focus groups have shown that prospective tourists have no clear image of Indiana as a destination.

The state has already begun working with a marketing agency on the new campaign.