Senators advance business and tourism development

A bill that would boost business and tourism development in Nebraska advanced to final reading April 28 after senators amended it to allow signage for tourist attractions.

LB449, introduced by Omaha Sen. Heath Mello, would increase the maximum amount of microloan funds from $1 million to $2 million that could be awarded annually by the state Department of Economic Development. The department would be required to increase from $500,000 to $1 million the minimum amount it awards each year and individual microloan limits would be increased from $50,000 to $100,000.

Additionally, the bill would require the state Tourism Commission to expand the use of tourism promotion funds for marketing assistance grants to communities and organizations hosting events that have the potential to attract large numbers of out-of-state visitors.

Bancroft Sen. Lydia Brasch introduced an amendment on select file that would include provisions of her LB571. Adopted 31-1, the amendment would authorize the commission to use highway markers to identify significant tourism attractions in the state. The commission would not be permitted to purchase markers until funding is secured through gifts or other sources.

The state Department of Roads would be required to locate, install and maintain the markers. The commission would reimburse expenses incurred by the department.

Besides cultivating tourism in Nebraska, Brasch said, the amendment would encourage community organizations to work with the commission because funds for the signs would come from private sources. The resulting public/private partnership would give smaller communities the opportunity to promote the unique aspects of their areas, she said.

“I believe these signs will be an economic benefit to those communities,” Brasch said.

Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers opposed the amendment, saying it did not adequately specify design and location standards for the markers.

“We will wind up with ticky-tacky little signs scattered throughout the state,” Chambers said. “There ought to be some pride taken in the appearance of the state.”

Other provisions of LB449 would increase from $1 million to $4 million the maximum amount the department may award annually through matching federal grant programs for:
• small business planning;
• agriculture enterprise development;
• companies or individuals wanting to market a product prototype or process;
• companies using Nebraska public or private college or university faculty and facilities for new product research and development; and
• companies or individuals seeking to create a product prototype developed in a Nebraska business, or public or private college or university, in which case the grant limit would be raised from $50,000 to $150,000 per project.

Senators advanced the amended bill on a 31-5 vote.