1. Short title This Act may be cited as the American Gateway Communities Economic Development and Conservation Act . 2. Gateway Communities Improvement Program (a) Establishment Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Interior shall establish an American Gateway Communities Economic Development and Conservation Program (in this section referred to as the Program ) to assist covered entities to improve gateways to units of the National Park System. (b) Grant authority In carrying out the Program, the Secretary may award a grant, on a competitive basis, to a covered entity. (c) Applications To be eligible for a grant under the Program, a covered entity shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such form, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. Applications should address the economic development benefits associated with the proposed activity. (d) Grant uses Grant amounts awarded under the Program may be used to— (1) facilitate a planning, study, or design component of an activity described in paragraphs (2), (3), (4), (5), or (6) in collaboration with local residents, businesses, elected officials, representatives of the unit of the National Park System nearby and other affected public agencies; (2) prepare a general plan and visual design guidance that reflect the goals of the Gateway Community and are in harmony with the visual, historic and cultural character of the nearby unit of the National Park Service; (3) carry out, with respect to a public space, a landscaping project that is consistent with local character and with the scenic, historic and cultural character of the nearby National Park System unit