HOLDREGE – The Phelps County Visitors Committee is accepting applications from area organizations to make improvements to attractions that encourage tourism.
The Improvement Grant applications are due July 1.
These grants are available to non-profit or publicly-owned facilities in Phelps County to help expand and improve existing visitor attractions, construct new attractions or expand and acquire exhibits for new attractions.
Projects that encourage overnight stays at local hotels will be given priority as grants are funded through county lodging taxes paid by hotel guests. Grants require a 50 percent match, and the maximum grant amount is $7,500.
Improvement grants are considered twice a year with deadlines of July 1 and January 1.
PCVC also awards Promotional Grants, which are available year-round and are considered monthly. Promotional grants are available to both for-profit businesses and non-profit organizations in the county.
The Promotional Grants provide advertising funds for special events, sporting events and activities that encourage and attract visitors and overnight stays. Examples may include radio, television and newspaper advertising that reaches visitors outside a 100-mile radius of the county. It could be to promote an event or an organization/attraction in general. It may also include brochure, flyer or poster design and printing, social media marketing campaigns and direct mail fees.
The Promotional Grant maximum is $1,500 for events that attract more than 500 people and $500 for events that attract less than 500 people. Promotional Grants also require a 50 percent match. Organizations or businesses may apply for the grants up to once each quarter.
Grant applications are available on the Visit 37 website at https://www.visit37.com/grants/ or at the Holdrege Chamber of Commerce/Phelps County Visitors Center at 504 4th Ave. Holdrege. Email info@visit37.com with questions.
