Red Willow County Visitors Committee Talks Budgets, Website Redesign at July Meeting
- Anna LaBay
- 7 days ago
- 2 min read
McCOOK Neb. - The Red Willow County Visitors Committee met Tuesday morning, July 1, at the Keystone Business Center to review fund balances, approve expenses, and discuss ongoing promotional efforts for the county.
Committee members present included Chairman Daniel Stramel, Chris Wagner, Kerri Unger, and Andrea Harms. Member Natalie Allard was absent.
As of June 30, the Promotion Fund held $63,158.78, and the Improvement Fund held $202,075.96. Petty cash on hand was reported at $36.04.
No new promotion or facility rental grant applications were submitted, but the committee reviewed previously approved pledges, including:
$3,150 for the McCook Chamber of Commerce’s Bash on the Bricks (June 28)
$5,000 for Tour de Nebraska (June 27–29)
$2,500 for the Red Willow County Fair (July 23–27)
$2,750 for the National Versatility Ranch Horse Association event (October 1–5)
$1,000 toward the McCook All-Inclusive Playground project
Director Carol Schlegel shared updates during her report, noting that the bureau’s social media presence continues to grow. “We’re going to be doing a Facebook campaign starting July 28,” she said. “I think that’s going to really help drive some summer traffic and awareness.”
She also discussed plans for the long-awaited website overhaul. “The redesign of VisitMcCook.com is in motion. I’ve been working on collecting content and restructuring the way people will navigate it,” Schlegel explained. The redesign aims to make the site more user-friendly for both locals and tourists looking for events, attractions, and lodging.
Under old business, committee members also revisited the “Explore McCook” app and discussed how to better integrate it into their broader promotional strategy.
A total of $4,630.09 in Promotion Fund claims and $4,296.25 in Improvement Fund claims were approved. These included advertising costs, brochure distribution, office supplies, internet and cleaning services, and a service plan with HonorboundIT.
The committee reserves the right to enter executive session when needed but did not do so at this meeting.
For more information about local tourism efforts or available grants, contact Carol Schlegel, Director of McCook/Red Willow County Tourism:
McCook/Red Willow County Visitors Bureau
P.O. Box 147
McCook, NE 69001
📞 308-345-1203
Photo shared from the Visit McCook website
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