America250 Nevada Commission Held First Meeting, Outlined Initiatives, and Fundraising Goals
- America250 Nevada’s Initiatives are laid out in a newly built website -
RENO, Nev. (March 18, 2025) – The first meeting of the America250 Nevada Commission was held online today with the newly appointed commissioners with Congressman Mark Amodei as chair. The agenda included the voting of a vice chair, identifying fundraising goals, and an outline of the state’s plans from staff and partners. (Link to posted agenda and presentation materials.)
The ten-person commission was developed as a temporary body to oversee the state’s efforts in acknowledging the 250th Anniversary of the United States. The members were appointed by Governor Lombardo and will serve until the concluding report is finalized in December 2026.
The Honorable Representative Mark Amodei, U.S. House of Representatives, Chair
Peter Guzman, Las Vegas Latin Chamber of Commerce, Vice Chair
Doug Cannon, NV Energy
Amanda Hilton. Nevada Mining Association
Kelly McNeil. Nevada League of Cities
Mary Beth Sewald, Vegas Chamber
Ann Silver, Reno + Sparks Chamber of Commerce
Virginia Valentine, Nevada Resort Association
Keith Whitfield. University of Nevada, Las Vegas (retired)
The Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs is leading the initiatives, which are outlined in these tentpole directives:
EDUCATE: We will help Nevadans understand the relevance of the Constitution to their daily lives. The Civic Seal Program works to educate our K–12 students in civics, social studies, and leadership in a robust, meaningful, and in-depth manner.
ENGAGE: We encourage Nevadans to participate through civic involvement, voter information, and volunteerism. Nevada Gives aims to transform our love of community into action — action to reshape our part of the world — with 36 planned community volunteer events.
CELEBRATE: We will salute the principles and ideals that unite us as a state and nation. Our Nevada Stories will capture our history and vision for our future via oral history and storytelling with a mobile podcast studio.
GRANTS: Travel Nevada and Nevada Arts Council will have substantial grant funds to disperse statewide to support the themes and increase engagement in America250.
COMMUNITY EVENTS: There is a community calendar for organizations to submit local events and for the public to find events in their community.
The website, america250nv.org, has many features to assist in planning. This includes:
Links to national resources, including planning guides
Community event calendar for event submission
Non-profits organizations can submit a proposal for a Nevada Gives volunteer project
A nomination form for notable Nevadans for Our Nevada Stories interview
“We’re ready to get this celebration started with our commissioners who will be key in its success,” said Brenda Scolari, Director of the Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, the agency leading the State’s Semiquincentennial effort. “We have seven months to prepare a state-wide celebration.”
For more information on America250 Nevada, visit www.America250NV.org. For more information on America250, visit www.america250.org.
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About America250 Nevada:
America250 Nevada is the state of Nevada’s official effort aligning with the America250 initiative to commemorate the nation’s 250th Anniversary in 2026. America250 Nevada will work to celebrate the anniversary of the nation’s founding by recognizing the diverse contributions of Nevadans while promoting civic education and engagement. To learn more, visit www.america250nv.org.
About America250:
America250 is a nonpartisan initiative working to engage every American in commemorating the 250th anniversary of our country. This multi-year effort, from now through July 4, 2026, is an opportunity to pause and reflect on our nation’s past, honor the contributions of all Americans, and look ahead toward the future we want to create for the next generation and beyond. To learn more, visit www.america250.org.
