BEATRICE – A Gage County lodging tax grant will assist a community organization in the southern part of the county. The Gage County Board approved the $7,000 Visitors Fund grant Wednesday, going to the One Property at a Time organization in Blue Springs. The project will add lighting, welcome signs, banners and flags, focusing on Main Street.

Shirley Martin represented the organization at today’s supervisor’s meeting and said the project will hone in on local history. "We are going with the historical Johnson's Cabin, we're going with the Chief Standing Bear Trail, the Methodist Church because it was started back in 1857...we have the Blue Springs Cemetery...which we are kind of working on putting on the Register of Historic Places."


The town will be a focus during the Cattleman’s Ball in early June, just east of the community. Martin says the community is taking the long view in trying to attract visitors.


"While we have people coming through Blue Springs, One Property has been doing a good job of getting rid of houses and trying to make the places look nice and getting some attractive new houses in. And, we just wanted to capitalize on that. Just because you're going through it today, doesn't mean you can't come back and see when we have the cabin open, when we have the wonderful Memorial Day services. There's other things to offer in Blue Springs instead of just driving through."


The total project cost is $14,000. Supervisor Rex Adams says the Cattleman’s Ball provides a good opportunity to make an impression that can hopefully lead to better things.


"I've been on these boards and in the county a long time. I've heard every negative connotation there can be, towards the south. I've heard them in this meeting, I've heard them in economic development meetings. Our communities are changing. It's time to embrace and appreciate what those people have worked to change. They're reaching out and I'm glad they're doing it."


The grant support was approved by the county board, on a vote of 5-0. Adams abstained from the vote because he chairs the One Property at a Time organization. Gage County Tourism Coordinator Dakota Hurley said it’s all about making sure the public knows what the community offers.