FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LINCOLN, NE (April 20, 2016) — The Nebraska Tourism Commission is pleased to announce the awardees of the Community Impact Grant program totaling $155,420 for this grant cycle. The focus of this grant program, per Legislative Bill 449, is to provide marketing assistance grants to communities and organizations hosting national or international-caliber events held in Nebraska that have the potential to attract a significant percentage of out-of-state visitors and to generate favorable national or international press coverage for Nebraska.
 
The Commission’s grant programs are very competitive and involve a selection committee of professional grant reviewers from both the private and public sectors, as well as private citizens. All the applications selected for funding under this program focus on one common goal, which is to gain national exposure for the state.

“We are pleased to provide this opportunity to Nebraska communities in assisting them to compete for events that bring national attention and visitors to Nebraska, and we encourage organizations to apply for funding in future grant cycles. The Commission is dedicated to marketing the state to travelers, and looks forward to helping attract and promote more high caliber national events in the future,” said Tourism Commission Director, Kathy McKillip.
 
Grant recipients include:
•  Scotts Bluff Area Visitors Bureau: $17,740 to promote the Old West Balloon Fest 2016 - creating national awareness of Nebraska as a premier ballooning event destination 

•  YFC Inc.: $21,800 to promote the 2016 Maha Music Festival - an Omaha event that has increased attendance 20% annually with visitors from 46 states and 9 countries

•  Hear Nebraska, Inc.: $15,880 to promote the Lincoln Calling Music Festival - striving to make Nebraska a globally recognized cultural destination

•  Omaha Sports Commission: $100,000 to promote the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials Swimming event - attendance is projected to exceed 200,000 people and more than 30,000 hotel room nights

The next application cycle for the Community Impact Grant program will open later this year. For additional information about the Commission's grant programs visit http://visitnebraska.com/media/industry