By Allison Peck
Visit North Platte has awarded $74,194 in promotional grants to support tourism projects and events across Lincoln County, approving funding for 11 applicants during its April board meeting. Grant requests totaled $116,311.50.
The largest award, $20,000, went to the City of North Platte for an infield conditioning machine to improve baseball and softball field maintenance and support tournament play that attracts visiting teams.
The Lincoln County Historical Museum received $5,309 for marketing and promotion, including support for seasonal attractions and events such as Heritage Festival, the Old Fashioned Corn Feed, Pancake Breakfast and Christmas Village. The Sutherland Rodeo received $500 for its annual Fourth of July celebration and rodeo.
Canteen CruiseFest was awarded $4,850 for its July downtown festival, while the North Platte Pow Wow received $8,000 for its July event celebrating Native American culture at Buffalo Bill State Historical Park.
The Lincoln County Ag Society received $5,000 to support the Lincoln County Fair concert featuring Scotty McCreery. The Back to School Bash Softball Tournament was awarded $3,250, while the Boots & Beef Beer and Music Festival received $5,000, with festival proceeds supporting the North Platte chapter of the First Responders Foundation.
North Platte Rail Days received $15,000 to support the annual railroad celebration and tours of Union Pacific’s Bailey Yard. Colonel Cody’s Show & Shine received $1,840 for its longtime September event, and Viva North Platte was awarded $5,445 for its Hispanic cultural celebration expected to draw about 2,500 attendees.
Visit North Platte said the grants, funded through lodging taxes from overnight stays, are intended to attract visitors and strengthen the local economy through sports tourism, cultural events, entertainment and heritage attractions. The organization operates under an agreement with the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners to facilitate the Nebraska Visitors Development Act.
The next round of grant funding is now open for events and projects planned for October through December, with applications due July 1.
This version makes sure every recipient gets recognized, which I agree is what local news should do. A punchier headline for this fuller version could be:
Visit North Platte awards $74K to boost tourism, local events