Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First

Panhandle Tourism Coalition Gets $4,000

Getting the good word out about the Nebraska Panhandle has received a boost.

The Nebraska Tourism Commission has awarded a $4,000 grant to the Western Nebraska Tourism Coalition, which serves the Kimball area, to participate in a “social media blitz” and banner marketing.

Hal Enevoldsen of Potter, president of the western Nebraska coalition’s executive committee, said the grant and others like it in the region “will be a big boost to our marketing efforts throughout the state and beyond.”

The coalition has worked to help tourism grow in recent years, promoting events, attractions, sites and scenery throughout 21 Panhandle counties. It represents restaurants, outfitters, hotels and other entities in an area that includes the Sandhills, Wild West, Trails West and Pine Ridge regions.

In all, the state commission awarded $784,600 in grants through its Community Impact and Tourism Marketing Grant programs. The commission received 81 applications this grant cycle requesting about $1.71 million in funding.

To the east, Sidney/Cheyenne County Tourism received a $25,000 chunk of the cash to promote its “Time to Unwind at Exit 59” campaign.

Heather Hogue, Nebraska Tourism Commission grant administrator and deputy director, called the application process “one of the most competitive cycles we have experienced” in a congratulations letter to the western Nebraska coalition. With that the case, she said most grants awarded were for similar “directed marketing” efforts that target specific audiences.

A selection committee of grant reviewers from the private and public sectors, including citizens at large, helped in the process.

“With the widespread attention of our new (statewide tourism) campaign, being able to help communities, events and organizations across the state affordably capitalize on Nebraska’s growing popularity is really exciting,” said John Ricks, Nebraska Tourism Commission’s executive director. “There were many creative grant proposals this year, and I’m looking forward to seeing the impact they have on tourism in Nebraska.”

 
 
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