City of Kearney I-80 sign, (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
KEARNEY — Whether it be sandhill cranes, the new SportsPlex facility or the multiple convention halls, the Kearney Visitor’s Bureau, now Visit Kearney, has multiple ways to promote the community.
Roger Jasnoch, Executive Director of Visit Kearney, appeared before the Kearney city council during their meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 22 with the group’s annual presentation.
Jasnoch noted that the group is supported by a two percent city tax and four percent county tax on lodging visits.
The city’s tax results in around $900,000 a year that is then used to promote travel to Buffalo County.
Jasnoch said Kearney currently has 20 hotels with 1,895 rooms and said this will soon grow to 2,000 with new developments.
Tax receipts from tourism have amounted to $27.2 million per year, with the actual economic impact likely being larger for residents and businesses alike.
Kearney has branded itself the “Sandhill Crane Capital of the World,” for good reason. In 2017, the migration season resulted in 48,000 visitors, 180 jobs and $14 million in economic investment. The next study of crane season will be in 2025.
Sports is another driver of tourism and the under construction SportsPlex facility represents Kearney’s latest investment in breaking into the regional and national sports market.
“The SportsPlex, with its versatile amenities, positions us to attract a wider variety of sporting events and further establishes Kearney as a premier destination for sports tourism,” Visit Kearney states.
Jasnoch also noted that Kearney’s multiple convention halls allow for the community to be competitive when advertising their facilities on both regional and national markets.
Kearney’s placement alongside Interstate 80 makes the town, the “ideal stop for groups traveling across the state,” according to Visit Kearney.
Jasnoch said that in the past year, 50 motor coaches with 2,000 visitors have stopped in Kearney, with many visiting the Archway.
In closing, Jasnoch said that Visit Kearney will be moving into their new facility in November.
Forward Kearney, a collaboration between, Development Council for Buffalo County, Visit Kearney and Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce broke ground on the 12,000 square foot facility, located directly east of the Kearney SportsPlex site, in October 2023.
“In addition to modern offices and private collaborative meeting space, the new building will house a large training room, a board room, and a premier welcome center that will truly be the front door to Kearney and the Platte River Valley,” per a Forward Kearney press release.
Also during the council meeting, Christine Walsh, Assistant Library Director at the Kearney Public Library was recognized for being awarded the Nebraska Library Association’s distinguished Excalibur Award for Outstanding Public Librarian.
Christine has been with the library for 20 years and said that she was, “humble and honored,” to have received the award.
During the public hearing section, Sarah Sawin, Director of Utilities appeared seeking the acquisition of utility easement in the Broweleit Subdivision, which was approved by the council.
During the consent agenda, the council approved a lease agreement with Skywest Airlines for the use of the terminal of air service which will start on Nov. 1.