How To Apply
APPLICATION PROCESS:
All applicants are required to submit the standard application form and required attachments by the posted deadline date(s).
Capital Improvement grants have a 2-step process where an Intent to Apply application is reviewed by the Tourism Committee and if applicant and project meets basic criteria a committee member will be assigned to the project and will do a site-inspection. Once inspected the committee member will let the Director know whether it meets criteria or not, and to move forward to sending the Capital Improvement Grant Application. Deadline for this application is in the guidelines.
Applicants will be notified via email or standard mail of award after Tourism Committee has presented presented them to the County Commissions for approval.
DEADLINES:
All applications must be received or postmarked no later than the deadline date. No exceptions will be made to this policy. Applications sent via fax will not be accepted. Emailing your application is proffered and request everything be in a single document either PDF or a Word .doc.
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2023 Capital Improvement Grant Guidelines & Intent to Apply – Deadline to apply: January 31, 2023
Submit your applications via email (preferred) to:
director@visitcasscounty.com
Via Mail:
Cass County Tourism
P.O. Box 521
Plattsmouth, NE 68048
Via in Person,
Please call 402-296-5999 prior coming as office hours are by appointment only.
Cass County Tourism Office
145 North 4th Street (we are located inside the Assessors Office)
Plattsmouth, NE 68048
REQUIRED VERBIAGE OR IMAGE FOR ALL GRANT PROJECTS:
“Funded in part by Cass County Tourism – visitcasscounty.com”
Click Here to Download Image
NOTE: Please contact Tourism office for any clarification on whether live or clickable links are necessary on online projects.
The Program
Administered by the Cass County Tourism Committee (an advisory group to the Cass county Board of Commissioners), the annual grant program is designed to promote tourism in the county by providing funding to tourism-related nonprofit organizations. There are two categories of grants available: Capital Improvement Projects & Marketing.
MARKETING GRANT
The purpose of this grant is to attract additional visitors to Cass County by providing funding to promote events, activities and/or general marketing for Cass County’s public and nonprofit attractions. The funds available through this program are from the collection of Lodging Tax in Cass County. The statute states that these funds are to be used to generally promote, encourage, and attract visitors to Cass County and to use tourism facilities. It specifically states that these funds cannot be used for capital construction or improvements. Each Grant request may not exceed 2,500.00. All eligible marketing expenses must be documented and will be reimbursed at a rate of 75%, not to exceed the $2,500.00 maximum. Only one marketing grant may be submitted for each project. Budget must accompany application.
Eligibility & Criteria for Assistance:
- Public organizations with nonprofit 501(c)3 or other non-profit designation. Proof of nonprofit status must accompany application.
- Funds are available on a competitive basis to any visitor attraction, community event, or area (more than one community) event held within Cass County with 501(c) (3) or other nonprofit status whose primary purpose is to encourage tourism and promote Cass County.
- Priority will be given to events that encourage visitors from outside our area.
- Grant project must be completed within calendar year.
- A report including updated project narrative and actual expenses must be submitted to the Cass County Tourism Committee no later than 30 days after project completion.
- Grant payment will be made based upon documentation of actual approved expenditures.
- After award is announce a Grant Agreement must be signed to accept award given and responsibilities for project.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT
The purpose of this grant is to attract additional visitors to Cass County by providing funding to improve Cass County’s public and nonprofit attractions. The funds available through this grant are provided from the Visitors Improvement Fund lodging tax, and are for capital improvements to attractions and recreational facilities only. Granted monies shall be used for a new structure, preservation of an existing structure or new equipment built or installed to permanently add or enhance value and/or capacity to the site.
Eligibility & Criteria for Assistance:
- Public organizations with nonprofit 501(c)3 or other non-profit designation. Proof of nonprofit status must accompany application. The project must expand, improve or add to an existing attraction or create a new attraction that is open to the public and is of educational, cultural, historical, artistic, and/or recreational significance.
- Organization must not have an open project that they have been awarded previously.
- The project must promote tourism and generate visibility for Cass County.
- Project must be completed within 18 months of grant award date: Oct. 15, 2014. Request for extension will only be considered by written request to Cass County Tourism Committee prior to your project completion deadline indicated on your applicaiton.
- Grant requires a 50% match with up to 25% total of in-kind receipted donated materials and documented in-kind/volunteer labor (valued at $10.00 per hour).
- “Funded in part by Cass County Tourism – visitcasscounty.com” must appear permanently at the project site.
- It is the sole responsibility of the Grantee to obtain all necessary local and state permits.
- A report including updated project narrative and actual expenses must be submitted to the Cass County Tourism Committee no later than 30 days after project completion.
- Grant payment will be made based upon documentation of actual approved expenditures.
- After award is announce a Grant Agreement must be signed to accept award given and responsibilities for project.
