NCOT awards $1.16 million in grants for rural communities

The Nevada Commission on Tourism last week awarded $1.16 million in grants that will help rural communities across Nevada to market and promote tourist events and attractions.

The grants are the first of two funding cycles that will distribute $1.75 million this year, with the second round being awarded in December. Grants require a match of funds or work hours by recipients.

"There are many exciting towns, events and attractions in Nevada that are sometimes overlooked because they do not have the means to market themselves," said Lt. Gov. Brian K. Krolicki, commission chair. "These grants are a way that we can help these rural communities help themselves."

"Cowboy Country," the tourism territory that includes Elko and communities along the Interstate 80 corridor, was awarded several grants. Cowboy Country will use a $10,000 grant to conduct a tour to bring international tour operators and travel media to Northern Nevada.

"Funding for the Commission on Tourism's rural grants is generated by the room tax, so the more visitors we attract, the more money we can put into programs like this," director Tim Maland said. "These grants are a way to 'spread the wealth' among those on the front line of tourism in Nevada."

Other recipients include Indian Territory, which received $8,675 to conduct a familiarization tour of Nevada's local tribal lands during the 2007 Governor's Interstate Indian Council; the Great Basin Heritage Area Partnership, which received $6,950 to develop and print brochures promoting the newly designated National Heritage Region; the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Authority, which received $5,000 to market the Web site www.SweetNevadaDeals.com; and the Laughlin Tourism Committee, which received $20,000 to implement a marketing strategy to promote birding and wildlife in Southern Nevada along the southeast Highway 93 and Highway 95 corridors.