Chelan County commissioners awarded $481,000 in lodging tax dollars to a variety of capital projects that focus on generating more overnight visits from tourists.
The money was allocated to eight agencies:
Lake Chelan Nordic Club: Snow grooming equipment, $110,000
Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance: No. 2 Canyon recreation area, $84,000
Plain Valley Ski Trails: Welcome center project phase 2, $50,000
Chelan-Douglas Land Trust: Jacobsen Preserve trailhead, $30,000
Chelan County Natural Resources: Parks and Recreation Plan, $10,000
Upper Valley Historical Society: Expansion feasibility study, $5,000
The Chelan County Lodging Tax Committee (LTAC), which reviews grant applications and then makes a recommendation to the board, was only able to allocate $330,000 for the capital awards instead of the $420,000 it had originally budgeted. Commissioners agreed to use $151,000 from lodging tax reserves to fund the 2025 grant awards, as recommended by LTAC.
“Applications this year included a number of larger capital projects that aligned with our strategic plan, helping contribute to tourism growth in the future,” said Commissioner Tiffany Gering, who chairs LTAC. “Over the years, we have been able to build up a healthy reserve for situations like this.”
However, in the future, capital grants, typically considered annually by LTAC, will be moved to a bi-annual cycle, with the next call for applications coming Feb. 1, 2026, Gering added.
“Unfortunately, the last two years, we have seen a decrease in lodging tax funds generated in the unincorporated areas of Chelan County,” she said. “We want to be able to fund some of these larger capital projects in the future, so we are going to build up that pot of money and move capital applications to every other year.”
Chelan County has two types of grants supported by lodging tax dollars, which are generated by stays at motels, hotels and short-term rentals. Along with capital projects, applications are taken annually for events and marketing grants. Those grants will remain on an annual cycle, with the call for applications this year beginning Sept. 1 and due on Oct. 15.
Chelan County’s Economic Services department will lead a study to determine not only the overall impacts of tourism on the local economy but also why these tax dollars are decreasing in the unincorporated areas of Chelan County, Gering said. Economic Services is expected to begin the search later this year for a consultant on the project.
Last Updated: 05/02/2024 02:37 PM
Archive Disclaimer
The information contained on this site is provided as a courtesy of the Chelan County. Where it exists, the "Index.txt" will contain a brief explanation of files contained in this folder
Chelan County makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on its web site. However, due to the possibility of transmission errors, HTML browser capabilities, changes made since the last update to the site, etc., neither Chelan County, nor any agency, officer or employee of Chelan County warrants the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information published by this system and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.
PLEASE NOTE: FTP browsing is no longer supported on the latest browsers, please refer below to acccess our FTP content.
Popular Browsers
Supported
Microsoft Edge
NO
Google Chrome
NO
Safari
NO
Internet Explorer 11
YES
Mozilla Firefox
YES
Opera
YES
By clicking continue, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to this disclaimer.
The information contained on this site is provided as a courtesy of the Chelan County. Where it exists, the "Index.txt" will contain a brief explanation of files contained in this folder
Chelan County makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on its web site. However, due to the possibility of transmission errors, HTML browser capabilities, changes made since the last update to the site, etc., neither Chelan County, nor any agency, officer or employee of Chelan County warrants the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information published by this system and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.
PLEASE NOTE: FTP browsing is no longer supported on the latest browsers, please refer below to acccess our FTP content.
Popular Browsers
Supported
Microsoft Edge
NO
Google Chrome
NO
Safari
NO
Internet Explorer 11
YES
Mozilla Firefox
YES
Opera
YES
By clicking continue, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to this disclaimer.
The information contained on this site is provided as a courtesy of the Chelan County. Where it exists, the "Index.txt" will contain a brief explanation of files contained in this folder
Chelan County makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on its web site. However, due to the possibility of transmission errors, HTML browser capabilities, changes made since the last update to the site, etc., neither Chelan County, nor any agency, officer or employee of Chelan County warrants the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information published by this system and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.
PLEASE NOTE: FTP browsing is no longer supported on the latest browsers, please refer below to acccess our FTP content.
Popular Browsers
Supported
Microsoft Edge
NO
Google Chrome
NO
Safari
NO
Internet Explorer 11
YES
Mozilla Firefox
YES
Opera
YES
By clicking continue, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to this disclaimer.
The information contained on this site is provided as a courtesy of the Chelan County. Where it exists, the "Index.txt" will contain a brief explanation of files contained in this folder
Chelan County makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on its web site. However, due to the possibility of transmission errors, HTML browser capabilities, changes made since the last update to the site, etc., neither Chelan County, nor any agency, officer or employee of Chelan County warrants the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information published by this system and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.
By clicking continue, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to this disclaimer.
The information contained on this site is provided as a courtesy of the Chelan County. Where it exists, the "Index.txt" will contain a brief explanation of files contained in this folder
Chelan County makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on its web site. However, due to the possibility of transmission errors, HTML browser capabilities, changes made since the last update to the site, etc., neither Chelan County, nor any agency, officer or employee of Chelan County warrants the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information published by this system and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.
By clicking continue, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to this disclaimer.