Lincoln, Neb.) Gov. Dave Heineman announced $350,000 in matching grants designed to promote tourism in communities across the state. The 22 grants are the first awarded as part of the Nebraska Tourism Advantage.

“As rural and experiential tourism become more popular, 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 new program, dollar-for-dollar matching grants are being awarded to local and regional groups to attract visitors.”

The Nebraska Legislature approved $350,000 for fiscal year 2005-2006 and $500,000 the following year to create the matching grant program. The dollar-for-dollar matching grants range from $5,000 to $50,000.

The funding represents the first significant investment of general funds for tourism marketing in Nebraska in recent years. The majority of funding for Nebraska’s Travel and Tourism Division comes from revenue received from a 1 percent state lodging tax.

“The growth we’ve seen in travel and tourism during the past few decades is strongly tied to getting the word out about the attractions, regional events, and world-class amenities available in our state,” Gov. Heineman said. “But there’s more we can do to promote this valuable industry, and this program will provide the significant boost our communities need to see new growth in tourism.”

Grant 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 Travel and Tourism Division of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development administers the new Tourism Advantage Matching Grant Program.

The following organizations have been selected to receive Tourism Advantage grants:

• The Edgerton Explorit Center & Nebraska Central Platte River Region Tourism Committee in Aurora will receive $24,000 to conduct a seven-county promotion that includes travel shows and publishing newspaper ads in travel show cities, magazine ads, a wildlife guide, a regional brochure and a Web site.

• Friends of the Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Commission will receive $13,000 to be used for a media campaign promoting the 2006 Lewis & Clark Farewell Commemoration Tour.

• The Gering Convention & Visitors Bureau will receive $9,000 to run print ads in regional and national convention marketing publications, develop a Web site and create a new display booth.

• The Cheyenne County Visitors Committee & Cheyenne County Chamber of Commerce in Sidney will receive $8,000 to create brochures and a Web site.

• The Hastings/Adams County Convention & Visitors Bureau, along with the Hastings Museum will receive $16,000 to conduct a Heritage Bank Club Peer meeting for group tours, as well as create brochures and radio ads.

• The Imperial/Chase County Tourism Committee will receive $5,000 to develop a Web site, begin marketing aimed at sports programs, and create a display booth.

• The Kearney Area Community Foundation for an Agricultural & Rural Development Fund will receive $16,000 to develop a Country Adventures Web site connecting consumers to agriculture-based tourism attractions and events.

• The Kearney Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center will receive $22,000 to be used to expand advertising by placing Internet ads for the Great Platte River Road Archway Monument and Pioneer Village, and by participating in travel shows.

• The Lexington & Dawson County Chambers of Commerce will receive $7,000 to produce brochures for attractions and events in Dawson County, publish a county tourism map and develop a new visitors’ Web site.

• The Loup City Chamber of Commerce will receive $5,000 to market Loup City and Sherman County through newspaper and magazine ads, brochures, trade show posters and a Web site.

• The Greater Omaha Convention & Visitors Bureau will receive $35,000 to develop a video to recruit potential visitors.

• The Grand Island/Hall County Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Stuhr Museum, the Nebraska Bird Observatory, & the Heartland Events Center in Grand Island will receive $23,000 to produce television ads, create sales materials and print materials for local attractions.

• The Norfolk Chamber & Norfolk/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau will receive $15,000 to develop rack cards, radio and television ads and pay for a listing in the AAA TourBook Guide.

• The North Platte/Lincoln County Convention & Visitors Bureau will receive $20,000 to create new brochures, billboard artwork, advertising, trade show displays and expand distribution of a tourism brochure.

• The Western Nebraska Tourism Coalition & the Panhandle Area Development District in Ogallala will receive $18,000 to produce and place ads in a variety of media and develop a new trade show display booth.

• The Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority in Omaha will receive $25,000 to promote the city as a meeting and travel destination by creating print ads featuring Omaha hotels, the Qwest Center and other key attractions.

• MMMBC Development Corporation, Inc. & Metropolitan Community College in Omaha will receive $20,000 to begin a marketing campaign involving the creation of a brochure, DVD and the “Discover North Omaha” Web site.

• Scotts Bluff County Tourism in Scottsbluff will receive $16,000 to expand a marketing campaign into new markets in the tri-state area and take part in travel shows.

• The South Platte United Chambers of Commerce in central Nebraska will receive $8,000 to create magazine advertising, produce bird location maps and develop an online Birdwatchers Guide.

• The South Sioux City Convention & Visitors Bureau will receive $26,000 to conduct a tri-county marketing campaign placing magazine ads in travel and meeting magazines and visitor guides. They will also produce a promotional DVD.

• The Cherry County Visitor Promotion Board in Valentine will receive $9,000 to create newspaper and magazine ads and upgrade Cherry County Tourism’s Web site.

• Ho-Chunk Community Development Corporation in Winnebago will receive $10,000 dollars to create Internet banner ads, radio and newspaper ads, and fliers promoting tourism opportunities in Winnebago.