Rural counties receive tourism grants

Sixteen rural Nevada communities will receive nearly $200,000 in state tourism development grants this month to attract visitors and help stimulate local economies.

The grants were announced by Lt.

Gov.

Lorraine Hunt, the chair of the Nevada Commission on Tourism and the Nevada Commission on Economic Development, which joined together in establishing the grant program.

Among the recipients are the following northern Nevada cities: Elko is receiving $12,550 to develop, acquire and install an Elko Area Visitor Information Kiosk in a high-traffic location.

Ely is receiving $6,000 to build a sign on the grounds of the White Pine Public Museum in the shape of a standing cave bear to attract attention to the facility and its cave bear exhibit.

The city is also receiving $18,600 to complete the design and purchase materials and labor to build the Ely Renaissance Society Sculpture Park.

Fallon is receiving $8,300 to design, build, install and obtain permits for two "Welcome to Fallon" signs on U.S.

Highway 50 both eastbound and westbound that will improve the community's visitor appeal.

Lovelock is receiving $40,000 to construct "Lovers Lock," an area to be used for promoting Lovelock as a place to "lock your love" and to complete a feasibility study for marketing the concept as a visitor attraction.

West Wendover is receiving $8,000 to acquire and place an information kiosk in a high-volume traffic area as well as $27,648 to build an archway designed to draw motorists off Interstate 80.

Yerington is receiving $5,550 to paint the Lyon County Visitors Center exterior, repaint a mural and purchase a visitor information sign.

Each recipient must provide at least an equal local match, either in funds or in-kind goods and services that help accomplish the purpose of the grant.