Gov. Heineman Awards $500,000 in Nebraska Tourism Advantage Grants

(Minden, Neb.) Gov. Dave Heineman announced $500,000 in grants designed to promote tourism in communities across the state. Twenty-nine organizations are receiving funding as part of this year’s Nebraska Tourism Advantage Marketing Program, which is in its second year.

“As rural and experiential tourism continue to, we are examining new ways to get the word out about the beauty and wide range of opportunities Nebraska has to offer,” Gov. Heineman said. “Under this program, dollar-for-dollar matching grants are awarded to local and regional groups working to help attract more visitors to our state.”

In 2005, the Nebraska Legislature approved $350,000 for FY 2005-2006 and $500,000 for the current fiscal year to promote tourism in communities across the state. The funding represented the first significant investment of general funds for tourism marketing in Nebraska in several years. The majority of funding for Nebraska’s Travel and Tourism Division comes from revenue received from a one percent state lodging tax.

Grants range from $5,000 to $50,000 and are used to help support marketing activities for attractions across the state. Funding can be used in the production and placement of mass media advertising, Web site development, production and printing of travel brochures, direct mail advertising, as well as for participation at travel, trade and sports shows, materials and displays for convention sales, marketing research and the development of billboard messages.

The Nebraska Department of Economic Development’s Travel and Tourism Division administers the program.

Following are the organizations receiving a Tourism Advantage grant for FY 2006 - 2007:

• Beatrice Area Chamber of Commerce will receive $16,340 to develop billboards, newspaper and TV ads, in addition to a brochure, Web site and travel show marketing with an emphasis on special events in the area.
  Broken Bow Economic Development Corporation will receive $20,000 to develop print and broadcast ads to promote attractions along the Sandhills Scenic Byway.
• Burwell Chamber of Commerce, Ord Area Chamber of Commerce, Garfield County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), & Valley County CVB will receive $9,350 to produce a travel guide and conduct red carpet service training.
• Center for Rural Affairs in Lyons will receive $10,000 to develop a Web site, produce brochures, radio and newspaper ads for the Winds of Change: Windmills Across Nebraska Project.
• Chappell Chamber of Commerce will receive $5,300 to develop a Web site and brochure, develop community identity materials, and design a promotional display.
• Cheyenne County Visitors Committee will receive $7,340 to produce a Sidney Walking Tour podcast and other audio and video projects, participate in a sports show, and develop an activity book and magazine ads.
• Durham Western Heritage Museum & Lauritzen Gardens in Omaha will receive $5,000 to produce and distribute rack cards promoting railroad attractions.
• Gothenburg Area Chamber of Commerce will receive $5,000 to develop a Web site and produce print materials targeting bus tours and group travel planners.
• The City of Grand Island, Stuhr Museum, Heartland Events Center, Mid NEBR Speedway, & Hall County CVB will receive $39,850 for expo attendance and to produce a video/DVD, brochures and TV ads.
• Greater Omaha CVB will receive $45,375 to expand its Web presence.
• GROW Nebraska in Holbrook will receive $10,475 to produce and post the Nebraska Nuances Cultural Tourism Guide on its Web site.
• Harlan County Tourism will receive $13,500 to develop a multimedia campaign, and participate in a travel/sports show.
• Harold Warp Pioneer Village Foundation in Minden will receive $20,160 to develop newspaper ads and a Web site, in addition to promoting Pioneer Village, the Minden Opera House and other area attractions at travel shows.
• Highway 14 Association will receive $5,680 to produce magazine and direct mail ads.
• Ho-Chunk Community Development Corporation will receive $12,700 to produce magazine ads and brochures, and create a booth for display at trade shows.
• Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce, Museum of Nebraska Art & Rowe Sanctuary will receive $25,000 to create individual and group marketing plans, produce newspaper ads and advertise on the Internet.
• Kearney Area Community Foundation Ag Development Fund will receive $16,000 to participate in travel shows, conduct marketing research on ways to increase agri-tourism, in addition to creating and print convention sales materials.
• Lincoln CVB will receive $21,050 to create and distribute a booklet promoting museums and other local attractions.
• Metropolitan Entertainment and Convention Authority & the Greater Omaha CVB will receive $35,060 to produce a magazine ads and a new meeting planner guidebook, as well as participate in trade shows.
• Nebraska Association of Bed & Breakfasts will receive $5,000 to redesign and print a directory, produce radio ads, and upgrade its current Web site to add an interactive map.
• Nebraska City Tourism & Commerce, Otoe County Visitors Committee & the National Arbor Day Foundation will receive $49,790 to develop a multimedia campaign attracting visitors to the region.
• Nebraska Winery & Grape Growers Association will receive $25,000 to create and develop a brand, and website, develop and promote package tours, produce print advertising and conduct public relations.
• North Platte/Lincoln County CVB will receive $26,500 to print a brochure, and to produce magazine ads, a new website, and video.
• Northeast Nebraska Travel Council will receive $9,000 to produce banners and secure booth space at trade shows in five cities.
• Scotts Bluff County Tourism will receive $24,595 to produce print and broadcast ads, in addition to distributing a brochure and upgrading its Web site.
• South Platte United Chambers of Commerce will receive $6,500 to design a promotional booth, produce a brochure, direct mail and other print materials, and monitor results of marketing efforts aimed at attracting bird watchers.
• St. Paul Development Corporation will receive $5,970 to develop a brochure, produce newspaper and magazine ads, and lease a billboard.
  Western Nebraska Tourism Coalition will receive $19,060 to distribute a brochure and travel guide, produce magazine ads, and promote area RV parks.
• York County Visitors Bureau will receive $5,240 to produce a group tour/meeting planner and magazine ads.

FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Aaron Sanderford, Gov’s Office, 402-471-1967
Ashley Cradduck, Gov’s Office, 402-471-1970
Tom Doering, DED, 402-471-3784