OVERVIEW:
The purpose of this grant is to promote, encourage and attract increased numbers of visitors to Deuel County and to improve visitor facilities within the county. Funds are available through this grant program are provided from the lodging tax revenues collected from motels, cabins, bed and breakfast establishments and campgrounds. The Deuel County Visitors Committee is a five-member advisory board to the Deuel County Board of Commissioners, and oversees the spending of the promotion and the improvement funds. Grant funding is available in two different categories:
CRITERIA FOR ASSISTANCE:
SUGGESTED ALLOWABLE EXPENSES FOR PROMOTIONS:
SUGGESTED ALLOWABLE EXPENSES FOR IMPROVEMENT SIGNAGE:
REVIEW PROCESS
The Deuel County Visitors Committee will review each grant application at its monthly meeting, generally held the second Tuesday of each month. Requests for general operating expenses, personnel, and any other financial assistance that does not conform with the intent of the grant funds is not allowed and will not be considered. Grant candidates must complete the enclosed application and attach letters of support from entities that will benefit from the event or project. The Deuel County Visitors Committee may request additional information, and it is strongly encouraged that representatives attend the meeting.
Improvement grant applications may be submitted at any time, and will be considered at the next Visitors Committee monthly meeting if submitted to the Deuel County Visitor Committee, PO Box 14, Big Springs, NE 69122, no less than 7 business days prior to the business meeting. Promotion grant applications must be submitted to the Deuel County Visitor Committee, PO Box 14, Big Springs, NE, at least 30 days prior to the event for consideration at the next Visitors Committee monthly meeting.
The purpose of this grant is to promote, encourage and attract increased numbers of visitors to Deuel County and to improve visitor facilities within the county. Funds are available through this grant program are provided from the lodging tax revenues collected from motels, cabins, bed and breakfast establishments and campgrounds. The Deuel County Visitors Committee is a five-member advisory board to the Deuel County Board of Commissioners, and oversees the spending of the promotion and the improvement funds. Grant funding is available in two different categories:
- IMPROVEMENT FUND:
Used to make grants for expanding and improving facilities at any existing visitor attraction, acquiring or expanding exhibits for existing visitor attractions, constructing visitor attractions, or planning or developing such expansions, improvements, or construction. - PROMOTION FUND:
Used generally to promote, encourage, and attract visitors to come to the county and use the travel and tourism facilities within the county.
This is a reimbursement grant program. Funds will be available after project or event completion. Copies of paid receipts, advertisings, mailings and completed final project report must be turned in to the Visitors Committee’s administrative contractor. This grant program is administered under the guidance of the Visitors Development Act, found in Nebraska Revised State Statutes Chapter 81, sections 81-1255 through 81-1258.
CRITERIA FOR ASSISTANCE:
- Grants are available only to public or non-profit organizations. Proof of non-profit status may be requested.
- The Grantee is responsible for obtaining any required local and state licenses and permits.
- Final project report must be submitted to the contractor no later than 60 days after the event or completion of the project.
- A complete project budget must be included in the grant application.
- Grants are discretionary, based on available funds, anticipated uses, appropriateness, and anticipated effectiveness of proposed use. Higher consideration may be given to new events or projects over repeat projects
- All print material, TV commercials, radio advertising, websites, posters, and other forms of advertisements must use the credit line, “Produced in part by a grant from the Deuel County Visitors Committee.” Failure to comply with this guideline will result in partial or complete withdrawal of funding.
- Promotion grants should focus on bringing people from outside the area to Deuel County. Higher consideration will be given to grants that use innovative outreach and advertising to accomplish that goal.
- For brochure grants, please enclose a conceptual design of the brochure.
- For improvement grants over $5,000, a permanent acknowledgement will be placed somewhere within the facility recognizing the Deuel County Visitors Committee for assisting with the project.
- If lodging information is sent out, all lodging facilities in Deuel County must be listed. A complete listing of lodging facilities is available upon request from the committee.
SUGGESTED ALLOWABLE EXPENSES FOR PROMOTIONS:
- Event Advertising
- Brochure & Website Creation
- Postage Expense
- Brochure Racks & Displays
SUGGESTED ALLOWABLE EXPENSES FOR IMPROVEMENT SIGNAGE:
- Expansion of Existing Attraction
- New Construction of Visitor Attractions
- Improvements to Existing Attractions
- Acquiring Exhibits
- Planning or Development
REVIEW PROCESS
The Deuel County Visitors Committee will review each grant application at its monthly meeting, generally held the second Tuesday of each month. Requests for general operating expenses, personnel, and any other financial assistance that does not conform with the intent of the grant funds is not allowed and will not be considered. Grant candidates must complete the enclosed application and attach letters of support from entities that will benefit from the event or project. The Deuel County Visitors Committee may request additional information, and it is strongly encouraged that representatives attend the meeting.
Improvement grant applications may be submitted at any time, and will be considered at the next Visitors Committee monthly meeting if submitted to the Deuel County Visitor Committee, PO Box 14, Big Springs, NE 69122, no less than 7 business days prior to the business meeting. Promotion grant applications must be submitted to the Deuel County Visitor Committee, PO Box 14, Big Springs, NE, at least 30 days prior to the event for consideration at the next Visitors Committee monthly meeting.
