Just how do visitors find out about Kimball when highway signs treat the town like an afterthought? Economic development director Larissa Binod is pushing for the establishment of a visitor’s center on the edge of town.

Two properties have been suggested to house such a facility, including the old Burger King building on the south side of I-80 and the vacant gas station just to the north of that intersection.

“I think the idea of having a visitor’s center is a good idea,” said Rod Horton, director of the Kimball-Banner County Chamber of Commerce. “Using an already existing building, such as the old Burger King building, is the way to go rather than building something new--Lord knows we already have enough empty buildings around here.”

Horton believes that a visitor’s center will help the community introduce points of interest often overlooked by travelers, such as Oliver Reservour, the old missile site home, Kimball’s museum, and even agri-tourism options.  It also opens up the possibility that those heading elsewhere may be diverted briefly into town, perhaps generating additional income for downtown businesses and positive encounters with local residents, at least according to Horton.

Last week the city held a meeting to address the idea, with about 15 interested people in attendance. Most at the meeting agreed that the old Burger King building would be well suited for a rest area type location with restrooms, information and maybe vending machines. Some discussed expansion of the site to include a walking trail, a dog park and picnic facilities.

A nearby rest area closed two years ago. Before that the city failed to find funding for an ambitious visitors center project.

Such a center is considered too expensive for local investment. Binod expressed hope that other communities, including Scottsbluff, would see the benefit of guiding “maleable” travelers to tourist sites throughout the Panhandle region and help defray the costs of constructing and staffing the feature. She is also looking into monies from the city’s economic development fund.

“I think we have taxed the citizens of Kimball as much as we can tax them,” said Jim Merryfield, who attended the meeting and volunteered to serve on a steering committee related to the proposal. “Maybe ten years from now we could probably get people coming into the city, but for now you’re just putting in a rest area where people will stop, use the restrooms, dump their garbage and hit the road.”

Others at the meeting expressed concern about the two locations, believing it doubtful people would venture from I-80 into downtown, at least for any significant amount of time.

The steering committee will meet once a week over the next month to develop a feasible plan, study operating costs and the potential economic impact of a new visitors center. They will present this information in early March.

Those currently volunteering for committee duties are Darrel Huenergardt, Greg Robinson, Jim Merryfield, Katie Ryan, city council member Kim Baliman, Rod Horton, Shaun Evertson, Stuart Tritt and Mayor, James Schnell.