VALENTINE, Neb.- Donating to the Cherry County Convention Center project just got easier. The Sandhills Area Foundation (SAF) has entered into a pass-through agreement with Cherry County Tourism to facilitate tax-deductible donations.

"This agreement will help us reach our fundraising goals more efficiently while offering tax benefits to our generous donors,”  said Cherry County Tourism Director Regina Osburn.

As News Channel Nebraska reported last year, Cherry County commissioners signed an inter-local agreement with Mid-Plains Community College to build the center near the college in Valentine. The county is committed to contributing $250,000 every quarter toward the project, with a cap of $1.5 million. Cherry County Tourism has been working toward a convention center for a couple of decades and has already set aside $1.5 million in a promotional fund, generated from lodging taxes. No county tax dollars are expected to be used for the project.

“The proposed convention center, which has been in planning for several years, is expected to boost local tourism and provide a modern venue for events, conferences, and community gatherings. The facility will complement existing attractions in Valentine and Cherry County, enhancing the area's appeal as a destination for visitors and businesses alike,” said a press release from SAF.

Donors interested in contributing to the Cherry County Convention Center can now make tax-deductible donations through SAF. For more information, contact the Cherry County Tourism Board at 402-376-2969, visit the Sandhills Area Foundation website, or call SAF Executive Director Carolyn Moore at 402-322-0031.

“The main goals of these agreements are to allow our generous community donors the benefit of these contributions being tax-deductible, greater community involvement in project development and long-term stewardship of local resources,” said Sandhills Area Foundation Board President Kim Marlatt.