2021 Lodging Tax Community Events Grant Program is Now Open

2021 Lodging Tax Community Events Grant Program is Now Open

Applications are due June 30th, 2021 at 5:00 p.m.

Yelm’s Lodging Tax Fund is the primary source of City funding for events, activities, operations, and expenditures that are designed to increase tourism. For 2021, up to $25,600 will be made available in grants. The application is available at: https://lf.yelmwa.gov/Forms/LTAC.

In 2018, Mayor Foster reinvigorated the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) and supported them in their efforts to coordinate an annual process to solicit applications and decide on Lodging Tax funded events, activities, operations and infrastructure.

During the LTAC meeting on June 10^th, 2021 the Committee allocated up to $25,600 to be made available as grants to the 2021 Lodging Tax Fund applicants. This amount includes funds that were not allocated in 2020 due to the pandemic. The total amount of funds being allocated from the Lodging Tax Fund for 2021 is $45,600, which includes $20,000 of unspent funds that were previously allocated for the wayfinding sign projects which is still in progress and will direct visitors to key sites in the City, such as parks, trails, the library and historic areas.

Schedule:

• Applications are be due by June 30^th at 5:00 p.m.
• The LTAC will review applications on Friday, July 2^nd at 1:00 p.m., during a public meeting that is scheduled be held at City Hall
• City Council will be briefed on the decisions of the LTAC members at their July 6^th Study Session
• At the July 13^th City Council meeting, City Council will take action to approve the grant award recommendations of the LTAC members

Who May Apply?

State Law authorizes the City of Yelm to distribute Lodging Tax Funds to eligible non-profit and government organizations to promote tourism projects, activities and events in City of Yelm (for-profit businesses are not eligible to receive lodging tax funds) that attract tourists.

Allowable uses of funds, per RCW 67.28:

• Tourism promotion and marketing
• Operating and marketing special events and festivals to attract tourists
• Operating costs and capital expenditures for tourism-related facilities owned or operated by government entities or nonprofit organizations

As a result of State Legislative changes made in the 2013 session, all applications must include estimates of how funding the activity will result in increases to people staying overnight, travelling 50 miles or more, or coming from another state or country. To ensure this data is collected, the City is now required to have applicants provide additional information in the lodging tax application. Please see the online application on the City of Yelm’s website for details.

Selection Criteria

Funding of the program and specific awards are dependent on recommendations of the City’s LTAC. The LTAC will receive all applications and recommend a list of candidates and funding levels that will be presented to the Yelm City Council for final determination. Funds will be awarded on a competitive basis.

Online Application

The application can be found on the City of Yelm’s website. Click here for a direct link to the application. Handwritten applications will not be accepted.

Funding Disbursement

All Lodging Tax Funds are dispersed AFTER approved events, programs or project occurs, NOT before.

For comments, questions or concerns, please contact Brianna Feller by phone at (360) 458-8420 or by email at briannaf@yelmwa.gov.