State OKs grants for tourism

The Nevada Commission on Tourism last week awarded $200,000 in grants to help build tourism infrastructure in the state and another $861,000 in grants to boost marketing efforts by local and regional tourism groups.

Among the projects funded in northern Nevada will be a permanent exhibit about American Indian life at the Reno-Tahoe International Airport.

The exhibit will help visitors understand where they can see and experience American Indian culture. It’s a project of the Nevada Indian Territory marketing arm of the Nevada Commission on Tourism.

In Fallon, a $27,500 grant will support continued renovation of the Oats Park Art Center.

At Lake Tahoe, the Thunderbird Lodge Preservation Society won a $10,000 grant to improve the lagoon seawall and dock to enable more arrivals by boat.

Samples of the marketing grants include $9,000 to the City of Carlin to purchase advertising in Reno, Salt Lake City and Idaho to promote summer events.

Elko Convention & Visitors Authority won a $10,000 grant for a familiarization tour that will highlight the new $24 million California Trail Interpretive Center and the Ruby Mountain Balloon Festival.

The visitors authority will bring media and tour operators into the area to generate more tours to Elko and media coverage of the region.