Dawes County began collecting money for the Visitors Improvement Fund on July 1, 2014. Under Nebraska law, the fund is to be used generally to promote and attract visitors to come to the county and use the travel and tourism facilities located here. The fund can be used to improve visitor attractions and facilities, by making grants to expand and improve existing facilities, acquire or expand exhibits for existing attractions, construct visitor attractions, or for planning or developing expansion, improvements or construction. 

The grants are available for any attraction in the county owned by the public or any non-profit organization which has a primary purpose of operating the attraction. Visitor attractions must be in a defined location, open to the public, and of educational, cultural, historical, artistic or recreational significance, or provide entertainment, or have exhibits, displays or performances of educational, cultural, historic artistic or entertainment value.

All grants awarded by the Dawes County Travel Board are subject to final approval by the Dawes County Board of Commissioners.

Improvement grant applications will be reviewed in July, October, January and April and funds are allocated based on substantial completion. Applications may be submitted to the by mail to PO Box 746, Chadron, NE 69337, by email to director@discovernwnebraska.com or completed and submitted online by using the links below. *NOTE: The online form requires you to upload budget worksheets/receipts. You can download the worksheets for the  Improvement grants by clicking on the “Budget Worksheet” link below. Please use and upload the appropriate form for the application or report you are submitting. The worksheet and receipts for the grant report must be submitted in one document. Users of the online form must have a Google account and have space in their Google Drive.