Virginia City district, Elko trails center receive grants for tourism

RENO - Virginia City's historic district and the Emigrant Trails center near Elko were the big winners among the 73 recipients of a total of $510,000 worth of state marketing grants to promote rural tourism in Nevada.

The Nevada State Railroad Museum in Boulder City and Fallon officials who want to promote the Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge were among others picking up checks last week from the Nevada Commission on Tourism.

"These grants help rural Nevada communities accomplish vital projects that otherwise might not have been possible," said Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki, commission chairman.

The National Historic California Emigrant Trails Interpretive Center Foundation received the most money - $20,000 to continue contracts on three existing billboards and to establish two new billboards promoting the visitor's center that opened along Interstate 80 in June near Elko. The center tells the story of pioneers during the Gold Rush years of 1841 to 1869.

The Virginia City Tourism Commission was awarded $12,000 to develop a mobile application that will enable visitors to access information on their smartphones, tablets and mobile websites.

Grant applicants must be nonprofit entities and are required to provide a 50-50 match in funds or volunteer hours. NCOT reimburses applicants after projects are completed and labor and funding details are documented.

Other big grants included:

■ $10,000 to Nevada Silver Trails, a group that promotes travel to Southern Nevada, excluding the Las Vegas area.

■ $9,500 to Friends of the Nevada Southern Railway Inc. to promote a Day Out With Thomas, a special event featuring children's character Thomas the Tank Engine.

■ $8,000 to the Fallon Convention & Tourism Authority to pay for production costs for an episode of "The Birdmen" TV series.

■ $7,200 to Indian Territory, an organization that promotes Indian cultural and special events throughout the state.