Grand Island is hosting the National 4-H Shooting Invitational for the second year in a row.

Nearly 500 4-Hers are participating in the invitational over five days, but organizers estimate around 1,300 people total will be in town for the event.

They'll also be staying in hotels, eating at restaurants, and possibly shopping, which means a significant economic impact, according to community leaders.

James Starr is looking forward to showing off his skills.

"I'll be competing in the pistol in slow fire, rapid fire, and silhouettes," said the Mullen resident.

He'll also be showing off his state during the National 4-H Shooting Invitational.

"I was pretty excited to have it here because...I've never heard of any national competitions held in Nebraska," said Starr.

Events like this are just what the Hall County/Grand Island Visitors and Conventions Bureau is trying to attract, calling them virtually recession proof.

"If there's a choice of going on a family vacation to a cottage or following my son or daughter to a national championship, what are they going to do?" said Renee Seifert, executive director of the Visitor's Bureau.

G.I. officials are betting on the national championship.

In the past two years the Visitors Bureau and newly formed Sports Council have been aggressively going after those sporting events because of new facilities.

"The shooting park is probably one of the best in the nation," said Seifert.

"[The participants] were just kind of astonished last year at the facilities," said 2009 Invitational Director Steve Pritchard. "This is an outstanding opportunity to share with the rest of the 4-H shooting sports world, and family members, and so forth that come the outstanding facilities that we have here in Grand Island."

But Seifert says it could take up to seven years to develop a reputation among sporting event owners.

"A lot of that is done by word of mouth, one event talking to another or one community talking to another in regards to, do you want to work with this group?" said Seifert. "And I think we're well on our way."

As Grand Island, and the surrounding communities attract more events, they are facing some challenges.

For instance, some 4-Hers are having to stay in Kearney this week because hotels are packed.

Seifert says at least three hotels are planned to be build in Grand Island soon, and one is already under construction.

That means there will be more room for those upcoming to events like the state fair and the state volleyball tournament.

The National 4-H Shooting Invitational is free to the public. For more information and a complete schedule, click on the link below.