Kyler Tarwater, executive director of the Heartland Events Center, introduces his staff to the Grand Island City Council at the March 10 meeting. Tarwater made a funding request for the Events Center and also gave highlights from the Events Center's 2025 annual report. (Carol Bryant, Central Nebraska Today)
GRAND ISLAND – The Grand Island City Council voted 10-0 March 10 to approve a $145,284 funding request from Heartland Events Center to cover the FY25 operating shortfall.
Heartland Events Center has been managed for the last year by VenuWorks.
The Events Center’s operating loss for FY25 was -$645,096 versus a budgeted loss of -$499,812, according to a memo to the City Council from Kyler Tarwater, executive director of the Events Center.
Heartland Events Center’s actual FY2025 revenue was $1,228,895, compared to a budgeted amount of $1,539,529, a $310,634 shortfall.
Heartland Events Center’s actual FY2025 expenses were $1,691,025, compared to a budgeted amount of $1,919,359, a $228,334 shortfall.
“Efforts to secure a naming rights sponsor and finalize signage agreements were unsuccessful during FY25, primarily due to timing constraints,” Tarwater wrote. “Concessions revenue fell short of budget due to hosting fewer ticketed events than anticipated.”
Heartland Events Center hosted 46 events in FY20, compared to a projected number of 42. Attendance totaled 64,395 compared to a budgeted 65,043 patrons.
FY26 is budgeted for 64 events with a projected attendance of 102,249 patrons, a strong increase over FY25.
High profile events included a 1,500 person catering event, the Lonestar and Colin Raye Christmas Concert, the Lindsey Stirling Christmas Concert, Scotty McCreery, Three Dog Night, Ian Munsick, League One Volleyball (LOVB), and ZZ Top/Dwight Yoakam.
Tarwater also gave highlights from the Heartland Events Center’s 2025 Annual Report. The total annual economic impact was $18,398,658. Also, 35,518 motel room nights were created, the local tax contribution was $554,000, and the direct economic impact was $12 million, he said.
The events with the top five attendance were Nebraska State Fair (16,500), Nebraska USA State Wrestling Tournament (12,159), Nebraska State Cheer and Dance Championships (9,866), PRCA Rodeo (5,216), and Grand Island Senior High School graduation (3,070).
The Arena League announced in December 2025 that an indoor professional team would be located in Grand Island. VenuWorks secured a $135,000, five-year Pepsi sponsorship agreement.
Two events where Heartland Events Center gave back to the community were mentioned. The Events Center hosted Heartland United Way’s Imagination Bacon: Bacon and Brews for Books. The event had an attendance of 800 attendees and benefits Heartland United Way’s support of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Program.
Heartland Events Center also partnered with Veteran Tickets Foundation (VetTIx) by providing tickets valued at $29,714 to veterans, active-duty military, and first responders, allowing them to enjoy seven events.
Heartland Events Center has 105,275 email subscribers, 910,138 emails delivered annually, and a 35.4 percent open rate.
The amount of money spent in event advertising was $18,136. Heartland Events Center has 17,241 Facebook followers, a 16.8 percent increase. There were 5.6 million Facebook views.
For demographics for ticketed events, just over 30 percent of people had an annual income of $125,000 or more.
City Council member Jack Sheard said, “I will add my kudos.” He said that the LOVB volleyball match on March 7 was “phenomenal.” “It was a great day for Grand Island.”
City Council member Mitch Nickerson said he has noticed excitement for the Events Center.
Tarwater said that Events Center staff was still working on getting a professional hockey team to be based in Grand Island.
City Council President Ryan O’Neill said, “It seems like you guys have picked up a lot of momentum this last year.
Tarwater said that Grand Island has a strong Latino market, and that the Events Center would be working to get more events targeting that audience. He gave an example that signage is not present in Spanish.
