Visitors Committee Approves Grants, Discusses Billboards

SIDNEY--The Cheyenne County Visitors Committee met on Wednesday, June 5, and approved a grant request and grant reimbursements. There were also discussions about Billboard pricing and the 2024-25 marketing Budget. Representatives from organizations that had business before the board, like Lodgepole Settlers Day and the Sullivan Hills Campground, and others that did not, like the Kimball County Visitors Center, sat in on the meeting.

The first order of business was a Promotion Grant Request from the Lodgepole Old Settlers Committee for the Lodgepole 100th Old Settlers Celebration. The event will take place from August 30 through September 2, and the committee is expecting between 1200 to 1500 people to attend throughout the event. Maryann Dickinson of the Lodgepole Old Settlers Days Committee said that they are trying to get more activities for children, such as “bouncy houses” and the Lions Club is sponsoring a magician on Saturday, August 31, and he will be performing at the Lodgepole Community Hall between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. There will also be a live band performing at the Fireman’s Dance, and all the events from last year’s event and more will be taking place. The Visitors Committee approved a grant of $5,732.10 for the event.

Next was an Improvement Grant Reimbursement Report for the improvements to the Sullivan Hills Camp, located north of Lodgepole. A representative from Nebraska Lutheran Outdoor Ministries addressed the Visitors Committee about the mattresses that were purchased and brought into the camp and the tremendous difference they made in the experience of the campers. A major complaint before the acquisition of the 60 new mattresses from campers was how uncomfortable the beds were and how it affected their ability to get a restful night’s sleep. The new mattresses have made a big difference in the enjoyment of the experience by campers. The representative also said they plan on improving the pond and acquiring a 15-passenger van for the facility. He also said the camp is free to all participants, and they had a fundraising goal of $280,000, of which $140,000 had been raised already. He noted that they would be seeking another grant from the Visitors Committee in the future. The Visitors Committee approved the reimbursement request for $17,196.76.

Two more reimbursement requests were approved; one for repairs at the Dalton Senior Citizens Center for $2500, and another request from the High Plains Art Council for $5,002.69. There was a brief discussion of events at the various Creative Districts in Cheyenne County, including the “Yarn Bomb” workshop at Chuckaboo Station in Potter. In Sidney, artists’ paintings will be displayed throughout the downtown area, and a “Paint-n-Sip” event will be held at Boss City Brew Brewing on July 14 at 2 p.m.

The committee then discussed pricing for billboards that they had decided to upgrade over the past few meetings, and a discussion was had over what type of materials would last longest exposed to the sun and weather conditions. It was decided that Chief Sign Company out of Ogallala would be used to install the replacement sign in Potter, as although their service is more expensive, it is covered by insurance. Another sign will be replaced by a local company that says they can do the job, but it would be their first time working on an outdoor billboard. The committee selected the “Terman” sign by the rest stop on Route 80 because they believed would be easiest to replace and would allow the company to show they could do the job The price they offered is significantly less than Chief Signs and other more established companies. The meeting ended with a general discussion of the Marketing Budget for the upcoming year, with no concrete plans made. The committee will continue to discuss the budget at the next meeting.