The City of Richland is accepting applications for its 2024 Hotel/Motel Tax Fund.
Donor Name: City of Richland
State: Washington
City: Richland
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 01/22/2024
Size of the Grant: Not Available
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
Each year the City of Richland receives funds from the room tax imposed upon hotels and motels located within the City. Also referred to as Lodging Tax, a portion of these funds can be retained by the City and/or be expended to promote tourism for a narrow range of projects and activities established by State law (RCW 67.28.1815). The law prohibits use of tax receipts for any other purposes:
To be considered for funding, proposals must be logistically held in Richland or evidence provided that lodging will increase in Richland. Proposals must also meet the criteria as established in State law (RCW 67.28.1815) and prohibits use of tax receipts for any other purposes. State law requires these funds be:
“…used solely for the purpose of paying all or any part of the cost of tourism promotion, acquisition of tourism-related facilities, or operation of tourism-related facilities…”
The key take-aways of the grant requirements are:
- Events/projects that produce a broad base for hotel/motel occupancy will be given higher priority over the financing of individual festivals, concerts, or shows.
- The City’s hotel/motel tax grant should “leverage” other funds. Unless the requesting agency is sponsoring an event that depends largely on volunteer efforts, hotel/motel grants should consequently not exceed 30% of the function’s total cash budget.
- A priority will be placed in off season programs and to those events which generate maximum economic benefit. Large events requiring overnight hotel stays should therefore be favored over smaller and/or single day events.
- Given the City Council’s desire to establish Richland as a center of athletic and cultural excellence, grants should be focused toward sporting, cultural, and leisure events. Creation and promotion of activities and events directed at young professionals/families that visit the area are encouraged.
- The grant is not issued until the final report and receipts are received and approved; then a reimbursement will be issued.
Funding Period
January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024.
Criteria
In addition, City Council policy requires that proposals comply with the following criteria:
- Events/projects that produce a broad base for hotel/motel occupancy will be given higher priority over the financing of individual festivals, concerts, or shows.
- The City’s hotel/motel tax grant should “leverage” other funds. Unless the requesting agency is sponsoring an event that depends largely on volunteer efforts, hotel/motel grants should consequently not exceed 30% of the function’s total cash budget.
- A priority will be placed in off season programs and to those events which generate maximum economic benefit. Large events requiring overnight hotel stays should therefore be favored over smaller and/or single day events.
- Given the City Council’s desire to establish Richland as a center of athletic and cultural excellence, grants should be focused toward sporting, cultural, and leisure events. Creation and promotion of activities and events directed at young professionals/families that visit the area will strongly be encouraged.
Evaluation Criteria
All applications will be reviewed by the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) which will then make recommendations to the City Council. The final funding decision is up to the City Council. The LTAC places an emphasis on the following when evaluating each application:
- How many room nights will the project generate?
- How reliable is the information provided?
- Validation of room nights generated will be required and there may be a placement of $5/room night generated cap up to a maximum grant amount.
- Does the project promote Richland and Richland hotels/motels outside of the Bi-County area?
- The Committee favors providing seed money to new events.
- The LTAC encourages all events and organizations to work towards total self-sufficiency.
For more information, visit City of Richland.
