Midwest Theatre wins $50,000 Keno support for lighting and sound upgrades after council debate; city to adopt funding policy

The Scottsbluff City Council voted to provide $50,000 from city Keno/community-betterment funds to the Midwest Theatre for sound, critical lighting and accessibility upgrades, saying they will finalize a formal application process for future requests.

Midwest Theatre executive director (presenting materials to council) laid out a $150,000 project budget and said the theater had secured a $75,000 grant from the Oregon Trail Foundation and budgeted $25,000 internally each year toward upgrades. The director said the board had received a recent vendor estimate that put a new lighting board alone at about $82,000, driving a shortfall the theater asked the city to help fill. "The requested $50,000 from the city would complete the funding puzzle, allowing us to move forward without delay," the director said.

Council members pressed for financial documentation and asked how the city would prioritize large requests if the Keno fund is used frequently. City staff said the city is preparing a formal policy and application for Keno/community-betterment funds and that the Keno balance was healthy but not intended to sit unused.

After discussion, Councilmember [name recorded in roll] moved to approve the one-time Keno award; the motion carried in roll call with councilmembers voting yes. The council asked staff to draft a policy and an application this fall to provide objective criteria for future awards. The theater will receive the Keno funds contingent on standard administrative procedures and the city's grant documentation requirements.

Council discussion emphasized the theater’s economic and cultural role downtown, the theater's secured outside grant support and the desire to set transparent criteria for future Keno awards. The council did not attach ongoing operating support to the contribution.