(Lincoln, Neb.) Gov. Dave Heineman today announced $125,000 in tourism marketing grants being awarded to 25 entities across the state. The 2009-10 grants will help promote a variety of attractions and events in Nebraska.

"Nebraska has much to offer travelers and these grants support communities and travel groups in their efforts to attract visitors," Gov. Heineman said. "These grants will provide an added boost to Nebraska's travel and tourism industry. Tourism is an important component of economic development, and I congratulate all of this year's recipients on their efforts to promote tourism and travel opportunities in communities throughout our state."

Funding for marketing grants comes from revenue generated by the state lodging tax. The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) administers the program and awards funding in four categories: promotion of specific events, regional marketing, Internet marketing, and other marketing efforts. DED received 50 applications requesting more than $380,000 in all.

DED Director Richard Baier said, "These marketing grants allow a community, region or event to expand their promotions for attracting additional travelers to their tourism opportunities. Nebraska's tourism industry is the state's third largest industry, and these grants further enhance the state and local partnership for growing the industry to potential travelers." 

Groups receiving funding include:

Ak-Sar-Ben's River City Roundup receives $4,400 for radio and newspaper advertisements to promote Ak-Sar-Ben's River City Roundup.
Ashland Chamber of Commerce receives $6,076 for television and radio advertisements and Internet marketing.
Burt County Economic Development Corporation receives $4,500 for visitor's guide, brochure and website enhancements to promote Burt County.
Central Nebraska Auto Club receives $4,550 for newspaper and magazine advertisements promoting 2009 Cruise Nite in Kearney.
Durham Museum, Lauritzen Gardens, Omaha Children's Museum, Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo, and Omaha Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) receive $8,000 to produce a "Pop in for your Omaha Adventure" direct mail piece.
Five Trails Winery, Paxton, receives $5,295 for Website development.
Great American Comedy Festival, Norfolk, receives $6,940 for newspaper and radio advertisements to promote the festival.
Greater Grand Island Sports Council receives $5,670 for magazine ads for promoting sports-related travel to the Grand Island area.
Great Platte River Road Archway Foundation receives $5,620 for television advertisements, newspaper advertisements and direct mail pieces to promote the 2010 Pow-Wow Celebration for the Dancers of the Plains.
Greeley Irish Festival receives $4,975 for rack cards, newspaper and magazine ads.
Hastings CVB receives $3,657 to produce a Hastings Visitor's Guide.
Hastings Museum, Hastings/Adams County CVB, Webster County CVB, Willa Cather Foundation, and Starke Round Barn receive $4,848 for magazine ads and Internet advertising for Adams and Webster counties.
The Kearney Visitors Bureau receives $5,300 to enhance its photo library, develop materials for motor coach marketing, and newspaper ads on the Sandhill Crane migration.
The Nebraska Association of Bed & Breakfasts receives $5,600 to redesign its website.
Kearney Raceway Park receives $2,208 for direct mail magazine advertisements.
Museum of Nebraska Art in Kearney receives $5,813 for a website redesign project, as well as newspaper and magazine advertisements promoting the museum.
Nebraska Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus receives $7,000 for website development.
Original Town Association, Inc. of North Platte receives $7,000 for magazine advertisements, production of rack cards and brochures to promote Rail Fest 2009 and the Golden Spike Tower and Visitor's Center.
PrairieLand Resource Conservation & Development Council receives $6,550 for magazine, newspaper and radio advertisements for the "American Indian Heritage Feather and Dance" celebration in Norfolk.
Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway receives $3,865 for rack cards.
Seward Area Chamber of Commerce receives $2,395 for television and newspaper advertisements and rack cards to promote the Seward County Fall Festival.
Superior Estates Winery receives $2,500 for printed material and rack cards.
The Updowntowners, Inc. of Lincoln receives $5,000 for television advertisements in Sioux Falls, S.D. promoting the "Celebrate Lincoln International Festival."
Western Nebraska Travel Coalition receives $2,033 for production of reader response cards inserted in the "Journey" travel guide to gather information from readers.
York Chamber of Commerce receives $5,205 for rack cards, posters, television, magazine, and radio advertisements for its "Scream on the Square" Halloween event.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT
Patty Wood, DED, 402-471-1559