LINCOLN, NEB. (Aug. 3, 2005)--Governor Dave Heineman unveiled a new program designed to provide matching grants to local and regional tourism marketing projects. The new Tourism Advantage Matching Grant Program is administered by the Travel and Tourism Division of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.

“ Here in Nebraska, we’re often too modest in talking about the many exciting opportunities available to visitors from this state and others,” Gov. Heineman said. “The growth we’ve seen in travel and tourism during the past few decades is strongly tied to getting the word out about our attractions, regional events, and world-class amenities – but there’s more we can do. This program will provide the significant boost our state tourism industry needs to continue growing.”

This past session, the Nebraska Legislature approved $350,000 for fiscal year 2005-2006 and $500,000 the following year in General Fund spending as part of the mainline budget bill to support the matching grant program. The appropriation of funding for tourism represents the first significant investment of general fund money dedicated for tourism marketing in Nebraska in recent memory. The majority of funding for Nebraska’s Travel and Tourism Division comes from revenue received from a 1 percent state lodging tax.

Dollar-for-dollar matching grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 will be awarded as part of the Tourism Advantage Matching Grant Program to help support marketing activities for attractions across the state.

Grant funding can be used in the production and placement of mass media advertising, website development, production and printing of travel brochures, direct mail advertising, participation at travel, trade and sports shows, materials and displays for convention sales, marketing research, and the development of billboard messages.

Applications for matching grant will be accepted through Sept. 30, with the first cycle of grants to be announced in late October. Complete guidelines on how to apply for the Tourism Advantage Matching Grant Program are available on the Travel and Tourism Division’s website at http://www.visitnebraska.org.

CONTACTS:

Aaron Sanderford, Gov’s Office, 402-471-1967
Dan Curran, DED, 402-471-3794