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2022 Lodging Tax funding capital requests are now open

The Chelan County Lodging Tax Advisory Committee has opened the grant application process for groups and municipalities seeking lodging tax dollars for capital projects, or capital improvement projects, that will help attract overnight visitors to the county.

County Lodging Tax Revenues must be used for tourism promotion, acquisition of tourism-related facilities, or operation of tourism-related facilities per RCW 67.28.1815-.1816. This application period is specifically for capital expenditures of tourism-related facilities owned or operated by a municipality or a public entity.

Projects will be considered capital if the funds are used for land and improvements to land, buildings and building improvements, parking lots, vehicles, machinery and equipment, works of art or historical treasures, infrastructure assets, such as roads, bridges, sidewalks, water lines, sewers, drainage systems and intangible assets, such as easements, water rights, timber rights and computer software.

The application period is open through Feb. 10. LTAC will review the applications at its Feburary meeting. New this year, applicants must be available on March 3 for a 10-minute presentation to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee.

Successful grants will be considered utilizing the following criteria:

  1. Increases tourism and convention activity in Chelan County.
  2. Boosts overnight stays and/or increases retail sales primarily in unincorporated Chelan County.
  3. The availability of funds. The current funding available for capital projects is $560,000.
  4. Meets reporting requirements of the State law.
  5. Overall economic impact to Chelan County.

For those nonprofits and other groups that applied for funding last fall but were applying for capital funds and were told to reapply, now is the time to do that. You will need to fill out a 2022 capital application, as the application has changed.

Lodging tax dollars are generated by local lodging establishments. In Chelan County, about half the money generated in a year is allocated to six local chambers as well as the Cascade Loop and TREAD. Another portion is used to operate the county’s Visit Chelan County campaign. The remaining money is offered annually in the form of grants to tourist-related organizations. In December, commissioners approved the awarding of nearly $223,000 in lodging tax dollars to 17 tourist-related organizations for marketing efforts.

 

REQUIREMENTS

  1. Turn in a complete, signed and timely application. The Feb. 10, 2022, deadline is final; no applications for 2022 funding will be taken after that date.
  2. New this year, applicants must be available on March 3 for a 10-minute presentation to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee. Committee members will reference any materials handed in with your application. So no additional materials are necessary for the presentation. Time will be tight between the application deadline and March 3, so plan for the presentation. A committee member will call you to schedule your time.
  3. Your budget must accompany your application, showing the use of your organizations’ and the County’s matching funds. Funds may not be used for administrative costs.
  4. A follow-up report must be given within 90 days of the conclusion of the project to theLodging Tax Advisory Committee showing the impact of the funding on the community, ie: attendance, impact on the occupancy/retail sales, publicity, etc. The report is to include receipts showing how the organizations and Chelan County’s dollars were used.

 

HOW TO APPLY

The application is a fillable PDF that can be downloaded. When you complete your application, it and any attachments can be emailed to CM.LTAC@co.chelan.wa.us.

Capital Application for download

Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Feb. 10, 2022. 

After you have turned in your application, we will contact you to set a time for your interview on March 3.

If you have questions, email us at CM.LTAC@co.chelan.wa.us.

Last Updated: 01/10/2022 02:20 PM

Chelan County Calendar

Upcoming events and schedules at the county!

  • 18
    Dec 2024
    01:00 PM - 03:00 PM

    Hearing Examiner - December 18, 2024

    Posted by: Community Development

    By Zoom Video Conference or in person
  • 18
    Dec 2024
    06:00 PM - 09:00 PM

    Planning Commission - December 18, 2024

    Posted by: Community Development

    400 Douglas Street
  • 11
    Dec 2024
    10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

    Chelan County Civil Service Commission

    Posted by: Human Resources

    The Chelan County Civil Service Commission will be meeting on December 11, 2024.

    Chelan County Commissioners Office, CM Conference Room 1
  • 04
    Dec 2024
    09:00 AM - 11:00 AM

    Hearing Examiner - December 4, 2024

    Posted by: Community Development

    Chelan County Administrative Building or zoom
  • 26
    Nov 2024
    09:30 AM - 10:30 AM

    Public Meeting: Public Canvassing Board Meetings

    Posted by: Chelan County Elections

    The Canvassing Board of Chelan County, pursuant to RCW 29A.60.160, will hold public meetings at the dates and times listed below. The meetings of the Canvassing Board are open, public meetings under the applicable provisions of chapter 42.30 RCW, and each meeting shall be continued until the activity for which the meeting is held has been completed.

    Chelan County Auditor’s Office