Rural tourism groups win grants

The tourism industry in rural communities in northern Nevada got a boost last week as the Nevada Commission on Tourism awarded more than $1 million in rural tourism grants.

Most of the grants will be used for promotional efforts through magazine ads, upgraded Web sites, billboards and the like.

In Fallon, for instance, a $5,000 grant from the state will be used to publish brochures to promote bird-watching in the Lahontan Valley. Virginia City will use grant funds to pay for billboards in Sacramento that promote its attractions.

Among the grants approved for Carson City is $2,000 for advertising to boost its annual three-day "Ghost Walk Tours."

Another $7,800 grant will help design a Web site for the Stewart Indian Cultural Center in Carson City.

Winnemucca tourism officials won a $10,000 grant to expand a billboard campaign to out-of-state and out-of-area locations.

Tim Maland, executive director of the commission on tourism, said billboards help tap travelers who may be limiting their vacations to one-day or weekend trips.

In all, more than 130 grants won approval from the commission on tourism. All of them require a match either cash or work hours by the rural tourism organizations.

Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki, the chairman of the commission on tourism, said tourism helps rural communities generate income and tax dollars even while other segments of the economy are slumping. NNBW staff