Scotts Bluff County commissioners approved a slate of tourism‑funded grants and pledges on Monday, including marketing and prize‑purse support for regional events and a capital improvement pledge for softball‑field canopies.

The tourism advisory committee recommended several awards and the board approved them during the meeting. Major items approved included:

- Legion Combat Sports: a promotional incentive grant of $12,500 to support an MMA/Mixed Martial Arts promotion that draws out‑of‑area fighters and attendees. The tourism director said the promoter must meet event insurance and state commission requirements; the sheriff’s office confirmed event security costs are typically billed to the promoter. The board voted 5–0 to approve the grant.

- Horizon Music Festival: a promotional grant of $13,750 to support statewide and regional marketing for a free, family‑oriented Christian music festival in Gering. The festival organizer described radio, digital and targeted email marketing to a 300‑mile radius and said prior events drew large audiences (the city estimated peak attendance in the tens of thousands during headline concerts). Commissioners and staff asked that marketing metrics be reported after the event. The board approved the grant 5–0.

- Rubadoux Rendezvous (gravel cycling event): a $16,000 prize‑purse request for 2026 that the tourism director characterizes as an investment that draws a large amateur and pro field; organizers estimate substantial local spending and hotel use. The tourism office and the organizer told the board the prize purse helps attract top riders and increases event draw. Commissioners approved the request by motion.

- Scottsbluff High School softball fields (308 United/United 308): the tourism committee recommended and the board voted to pledge $75,000 toward structural improvements (two payments of $37,500 per year) that would add protective awnings and safety features over bleachers at fields used for tournaments. Krista Sarshet and Jaclyn Quentzel of 308 United presented estimates and other funders; commissioners agreed to treat the award as a pledge to be disbursed after contractors’ invoices and signed contracts were presented. The board approved the pledge 5–0.

The nut graf: all awards are funded from the county’s lodging‑tax (tourism) fund. Several approvals included conditions: event grant recipients must show proof of insurance and report marketing metrics or post‑event economic measures; capital funds will be disbursed on receipt of invoices and signed construction contracts.

Board members and staff emphasized the need to use measurement tools — including the Nebraska Sports Index and a commercially licensed foot‑traffic tool (Placer AI) — to track return on investment for large awards. Commissioners said they expect post‑event reports that document hotel room nights, attendance and other economic indicators.

Ending: The board approved the tourism slate and asked staff and recipients to provide follow‑up documentation and performance metrics as items are implemented.