Lincoln County is one of six destinations chosen by Travel Nevada to build its local tourism economy through a new program and ultimately share in a one-time $2 million federally funded grant program.
To give local residents a chance to weigh in on possibilities, the Lincoln County Authority of Tourism (LCAT) is hosting a 90-minute listening session on Tuesday, March 14 at the Side Car, 190 Clover Street, Caliente. All are welcome to attend and share their thoughts in a session facilitated by a professional consulting team provided by Travel Nevada.
Food will be served starting at 6 p.m., with catering provided by the Side Track Restaurant. Attendees are welcome to stay afterward to find out more about Travel Nevada’s new Destination Development Demonstration (3D) Project.
The 3D Project is providing Lincoln County with a customized 33-week planning process to fine-tune a 10-year destination plan. Once the plan is complete, the tourism authority will have a chance to apply for hundreds of thousands of dollars in funding to bring the concept to life.
All six destinations were chosen in a competitive process last fall that attracted 16 applicants. Projects selected for development include guided experiences on tribal lands, a new Carson Valley arts and culture corridor, and a wide range of outdoor and heritage experiences in Nevada’s vast landscapes. Lincoln County’s destination plan is set for completion this August.
Building on earlier planning work, Lincoln County is seeking to enhance and expand visitors’ access to six state parks, stunning landscapes, bucket-list mountain biking and OHV trails, plus opportunities to experience the Old West, UFO culture and dark skies.
The project is being guided by a local steering committee that is represented by Lincoln County, City of Caliente, State Parks, Pioche Chamber of Commerce, local business owners and LCAT.
The 3D project jumpstarts Travel Nevada’s brand-new focus on destination development to expand the state’s tourism infrastructure and build rural economies by attracting more traveler spending.
To guide the 3D planning work, Travel Nevada selected Better Destinations, a Denver-based consultancy led by former Colorado state tourism director Cathy Ritter. The Better Destinations team also includes Mitch Nichols, president of Nichols Tourism Group in Bellingham, Wash., and Carl Ribaudo, president and chief strategist of SMG Consulting in South Lake Tahoe.
Anyone wanting to be share their ideas on this exciting opportunity, or with questions on the 3D Project, please contact Marcia Hurd at (775) 441-1101 or register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/565697104267