CHADRON – The Dawes County Travel Board is extending its suspension on the acceptance of Improvement grant applications for an additional six months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The board had previously voted to suspend Improvement grant applications until January 2021.
“Improvement grants are designed to improve tourist attraction infrastructure in Northwest Nebraska and serve as an important source of funding to keep the tourist industry vibrant,” said Discover Northwest Nebraska Director Kerri Rempp. “However, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the industry to such a degree that the Dawes County Travel Board experienced significant decreases in revenue early in 2020. That, combined with the presence of several outstanding commitments to ongoing projects, makes it difficult to fund additional requests at this time.”
The board will review the suspension of applications in the spring of 2021 and determine if revenues have rebounded enough to resume accepting applications for consideration in July. Funding for previously approved grants will still be allocated when the board receives a final report and receipts for eligible expenses.
The Dawes County Travel Board will continue to accept Promotion grants for events, all of which will be carefully considered on a case-by-case basis.
The proceeds of a lodging tax on motel/hotel/campground lodging in Dawes and Sioux counties provide the money for both the Promotion and Improvement funds, which are authorized under the Nebraska Visitors Development Act.