FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Rhonda Porter: 402-391-2273, Dave Nabity: 402-618-6759

Awakening Tourism and Recreation in Nebraska

(February 8, 2006-Omaha, NE) Dave Nabity, Republican candidate for governor, today unveiled a new plan for tourism in Nebraska, encouraging the legislature to spread tourism and recreation efforts throughout the state and defining four key strategies that will receive priority attention in his administration.

"Sales taxes generated through tourism are used to fund the overhead of state governments across the nation. In Nebraska, tourism is a sleeping giant that is not giving us its full power. We must awaken this giant to create new opportunity, new jobs, and new economic activity all across our state," Nabity said. "It also is an excellent way to grow our population in central and western Nebraska and move Nebraska closer to becoming the Jewel of the Midwest. With the announcement of a potential new lake in the Ashland area and the possible allocation of funds to do a study, I believe the timing is right to have a serious discussion about how Nebraska can transform itself by expanding tourism statewide."

"First, my message to the legislature is this: 'I think it is a good thing that you did not rush into funding a study on a new large lake in eastern Nebraska '" Nabity said. "For years, we have ignored tourism opportunities that already exist across this state. Why, now that a few senators in the Omaha area have a new idea, is it becoming a priority to allocate money to study a new lake? What about the lakes that already exist in Nebraska? What about all of the potential destination spots that should have been developed 30 years ago in northeast, central and western Nebraska? Today, I ask state senators, department and agency heads, and all of those already working on economic development through tourism to study the entire state of Nebraska, too-not just the Omaha area.

"Finding ways for tourism and recreation to benefit our state's economy is essential if Nebraska is going to compete with other low-tax states," Nabity said. "In fact, our future depends on it. Most states in America already have lower tax burdens than Nebraskapartly because of the monies they bring in with tourism and recreation activities."

"I have already demonstrated that the states attracting many of our retirees and entrepreneurs have tax burdens a half to a third of that in Nebraska. If our state is to thrive in the 21st Century, we must figure out a way to use the advantages of tourism and recreation as other states do and create new opportunities to bring outsiders to the state and motivate them to spend money here. I want to stop watching what other states are doing and start working on growing tourism within our own borders."

"A plan for improved tourism and recreation in Nebraska starts with a new vision for Nebraska," Nabity explained. "It will take a governor who not only inspires citizens with this new vision, but a governor who can strategize and sell this new vision to make it a reality. I believe I am the one who can do this for our state! For more than three years now, I have been developing new creative ideas to expand tourism and recreation."

"Today, I want to introduce the 'Nabity Tourism Transformation Plan for Nebraska'," Nabity said. "The plan includes four strategies that will transform tourism activity in our state. It begins with defining four specific areas for expanded tourism. They are:

  1. Identify key "Destination Centers for Tourism."
  2. Create a "Traveler's Zone of Temptation."
  3. Create a "Wild West Vacation Region."
  4. Identify an "Upland Game Hunting Region."
"In my plan, I have identified eight unique Destination Centers for Tourism in Nebraska where vacationers and families from within our borders and all over the country can travel to enjoy lodging, activities and multiple tourism experiences," Nabity said. "These areas offer our best opportunities for tourism, and they will have the highest priority for state resources to create destination spots. Many of these areas already have natural sights, water and events that make them unique in Nebraska."

"The Travelers Zone of Temptation is the area 10 miles either side of Interstate I-80. My goal is to create so many tempting sights and experiences along the interstate that it will be almost impossible to travel through the state without pulling off to check out a special tourist spot."

"The Wild West Vacation Region is the area of the Sandhills offering experiences that take people back to the Wild West--Buffalo Bill times! The goal is to create at least one family destination spot between North Platte and Ogallala similar to Silver Dollar City in the Ozarks or the Wisconsin Dells, a wonderful family destination spot fashioned after the life and experiences of the late 1800s. Many people from the metropolitan areas of Nebraska and Colorado, and visitors from other parts of the country who are passing through will be able to experience the peaceful life of God's country in our beautiful Sandhills."

"The Upland Game Hunting Region is an area where landowners with existing farming operations could add new hunting experiences to attract hunters from all around the country and the world. South Dakota, for years, has outfoxed Nebraska by attracting hunters from across the nation. It is time that we catch up to them and bring hunters to our state to fill up hotels and restaurants and provide extra income for our landowners." "For us to transform Nebraska and create new tourism and recreational opportunities, our leaders will need to develop new innovations and incentives from state government. These incentives can be used to motivate entrepreneurs and landowners to risk their capital and time to bring new tourism activities to Nebraska." "Here are some examples of the innovations and incentives that will bolster Nebraska's tourism program:

-- Passage of legislation, such as LB 500, that allows financing of tourism projects, using sales tax from new projects in the new Destination Center areas and the Zones of Temptation. -- Changes to current signage laws in Nebraska, allowing tourist sites and destinations to advertise adequately along highways and the Interstate. -- Tax deductions for investments in equipment and machinery used to create new tourism activity--rather than depreciating it over time. -- Exempting land improvements from valuation increases in property tax, if those improvements are for purposes of creating new tourism projects. Exemptions would last for a 10-year period. -- Low-interest loans to finance new tourism projects. -- Tax incentives for investors in tourism projects in designated zones or regions. -- New marketing strategies and Web site technologies to link destination sites and hosts to travelers and hunters.

"These are just a few of incentives that will be required to awaken the sleeping giant in Nebraska. More may be needed to motivate our entrepreneurial community to step up and begin new projects."

"Nebraska is 30 to 40 years behind other states in our ability to create the kind of attractions that can bring vacationers and travelers from all over the country. It's time that we catch up," Nabity said. "The opportunity is here and we must get moving to create enough economic activity to bring tax relief to the citizens of our state."

"Any money we allocate toward new tourist projects, such as Lake Nebraska, would be better spent taking a more comprehensive approach, launching attractions across the entire state and bringing new economic activity to everyone in Nebraska. Let's get our tourism and recreation strategies in order and transform Nebraska into the Jewel of the Midwest!"

Dave Nabity for Governor
9140 West Dodge, Suite 100
Omaha, NE 68114
(402) 391-2273
www.davenabity.com