CARSON CITY, Nevada — The Nevada Commission on Tourism (NCOT) approved $200,000 in grant funding for infrastructure projects, Lt. Gov. Mark Hutchison announced today.

The Projects Relating to Tourism Grants are distributed by the Nevada Division of Tourism (Travel Nevada) every other year and fund such capital improvement endeavors as visitor kiosks and interpretive signs. Among this year’s recipients are the city of Wells, which seeks to repair the roof of its Trail Center building; and Indian Territory, a group that promotes cultural tourism throughout the state, to move and expand the American Indian exhibit at the Reno-Tahoe International Airport.

“This grant program helps Nevada communities make infrastructure improvements that will enhance the visitor experience,” Hutchison, NCOT chairman, said. “That’s important because visitors, and the business they bring to Nevada, are crucial to our economy. About $3.2 billion in state and local tax revenue is generated by the travel industry.”

Twenty-five projects received Projects Relating to Tourism grants. This grant program, which funds infrastructure projects, is separate from Travel Nevada’s Rural Marketing Grant Program, which funds marketing projects and disperses grants twice a year.

Among the funded projects:

The city of Wells received $20,000 to pay a portion of the cost of a new roof for its Trail Center facility, which was rendered uninhabitable by an earthquake in 2008. Once the roof is completed, repairs can begin on the building’s interior, which houses the Chamber of Commerce, the Trail of the 49ers museum and interpretive center and the Society for the Preservation of Western Heritage.

A $20,000 grant was awarded to Indian Territory to expand and move the American Indian exhibit currently in a secured area at Reno-Tahoe International Airport to a larger area outside of the security gates, where it can be viewed by arriving and departing passengers.

The Boys & Girls Club of Mason Valley got $15,000 to help pay for additional sod at the Lyon County property used to stage the popular Night in the Country music festival. The plan is to increase the current 5,000 feet of grassy area to 100,000 feet, improving the experience of festival-goers.

A $5,000 grant was given to the White Pine Country Golf Course in Ely to create signs to highlight facility amenities, including the 18-hole course, clubhouse, pro shop, driving range and more. The existing sign also will be refurbished.

The Carson Valley Visitors Authority received $23,493 to implement a way-finding signage program that will link Carson Valley’s historical, cultural and recreational resources.

For a complete list of grants awarded, click here.

The Nevada Division of Tourism (Travel Nevada) is part of the Nevada Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs. It is responsible for promoting and marketing Nevada as a travel destination to domestic and international travelers. Operating within a performance-based budget structure, Travel Nevada is funded solely by a percentage of lodging tax paid by overnight guests throughout the state. For more, visit www.travelnevada.biz.