Brad Mellema, director of the Hall County/Grand Island Convention and Visitors Bureau, addresses Hall County Commissioners Nov. 4 about proposed grants that the Bureau would award. (Carol Bryant, Central Nebraska Today)
GRAND ISLAND – Hall County Commissioners approved Grand Island/Hall County Convention and Visitors Bureau grants on Nov. 4.
Director Brad Mellema gave a presentation to Commissioners summarizing the grant awards for 2026.
A total of $1,030,396 will be awarded for 15 projects.
Mellema said the funding can be used for “bricks and mortar” projects or marketing.
Grants are funded through the Visitor Improvement Funds derived from a 2 percent occupancy tax on Hall County hotel properties.
The purpose of the Hall County Visitor Improvement Fund grant is to provide funding that creates new or improved existing visitor attractions or facilities in the county. Funding also can be used for marketing. Projects with potential to increase visibility of and draw overnight guests to Hall County will be given priority consideration.
Commissioner Scott Sorensen expressed concern about a grant to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission for a picnic shelter at Mormon Island State Recreation Area. Sorensen was concerned about the lack of funding that the state was providing to Hall County.
Mellema responded that the project should be viewed as a micro project and was specifically for the State Recreation Area to benefit campers. He noted future plans for development linking Mormon Island State Recreation Area to Camp Augustine.
Commissioner Ron Peterson commented about Stuhr Museum’s request for $275,000 for installation of internet fiber connections. He noted because of the increase in minimum wage, Stuhr Museum would not be able to hire as many staff members in the summer to be stationed at buildings in Railroad Town. It was suggested that through technology, presentations could be offered in buildings where staff members were not present. It was also noted that there are “dead spots” on Stuhr Museum property for technology connections.
Mellema estimated that there are 2,000 hotel rooms in Hall County. When hotels under construction are completed, that number could increase to approximately 2,400 to 2,500 rooms, he said.
The projects that will receive grant funds are:
*Grand Island Livestock Complex Authority, $100,000 to market livestock shows to get entries that in turn bring people to Grand Island.
*Grand Island Community Baseball Committee, $150,000 for the Ryder Park Baseball Field. Money will specifically be spent for restrooms and concession stands.
*Cairo Community Foundation, $5,000 for a splash pad at the Cairo pool.
*Nebraska Trapshooting Association, $12,000 for picnic tables that would go under the shelters at the shotgun range in Doniphan.
*Stuhr Museum Foundation, $275,000 for installation of fiber optics throughout their property. This would allow visitors to get information on their phones about the various buildings and sites, plus stories of the time. The importance is so that buildings could be open even when staff is not available to be present in the buildings. It also assists with point of sale transactions at the Silver Dollar and The Mercantile.
*Railside Business Improvement District, $25,000 for a speaker system to be placed for ambient music and messaging which helps the visitor experience especially during specific seasons.
*Nebraska State Fair 1868 Foundation, $100,000 for the AkSarBen Stock show for marketing funds.
*Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, $25,000 for a large picnic shelter at Mormon Island State Recreation Area where expansion is planned.
*The Nature Conservancy, $23,650 for the Platte River Prairies Education Center. It is an education center proposed on their grounds which will include conference space and a parking lot.
*Hargis House Woman’s Club, $10,000 to create a driveway exit to the alley.
*Heartland Public Shooting Park, $25,734 for portable shelters in the new loop, which was built to accommodate an increase in use of the facilities.
*Greater Grand Island Community Foundation, All Aboard for Stolley Park, $100,000 for the activities areas that will be built inside the Stolley Train loop. Among the projects are the installation of safety guards, a childs’ hike/bike trail, and a play area.
*EPIC Discovery Center, $219,000 for an area for younger children.
*Husker Harvest Days, $75,000 for building new roads and making drainage and electric improvements.
*Grand Island/Hall County Convention and Visitors Bureau, $100,000 for marketing program.
