The City of Walla Walla is seeking applications for its 2024-2025 Lodging Tax Grant.
Donor Name: City of Walla Walla
State: Washington
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 09/12/2024
Size of the Grant: Not Available
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The purpose of the committee is to review grant applications and make recommendations to City Council regarding the allocation of local lodging tax funds, and to review and comment on any proposed imposition of lodging tax, increase in the rate of lodging tax, repeal of an exemption from lodging tax, or change in the use of revenue received from lodging tax.
Under the Walla Walla Municipal Code Section 3.78.010, the City of Walla Walla collects a 4% tax on the furnishing of lodging—by hotels, motels, short-term rentals, and other transient lodging. The City’s goal for the use of lodging tax funds is to attract visitors to Walla Walla, both for overnight stays and day trips year-round. Tourist visits to the shopping, restaurants, art galleries and other activities help ensure the economic vitality of these enterprises and the liveliness of Walla Walla.
State law (RCW 67.28.1816) allows the City to spend lodging tax revenue only on:
- Tourism marketing.
- The marketing and operations of special events and festivals designed to attract tourists.
- Supporting the operations and capital expenditures of tourism-related facilities owned or operated by a municipality or a public facilities district;
- Supporting the operations of tourism-related facilities owned or operated by 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) nonprofit organizations
Funding Priorities
The objective of the City of Walla Walla Lodging Tax Advisory Committee process is to support projects, which encourage eligible tourism and cultural activities and support tourism facilities in Walla Walla.
Objectives for Hotel/Motel Tax Funds:
- Generate increased tourism in Walla Walla resulting in overnight stays at paid lodging establishments.
- Generate maximum economic benefit through overnight lodging, sale of meals and goods, and construction of tourism-related facilities.
- Increase recognition of Walla Walla throughout the region as a destination for tourism.
- Increase opportunities for tourism by developing new visitor activities.
Eligible Expenses
Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Eligible expenses:
- In accordance with Washington State law, hotel/motel tax grant funds are specifically designated to bolster efforts that stimulate tourism-related expenditures and contribute to the generation of paid overnight lodging within the City of Walla Walla.
- LTAC grants are allocated to projects aimed at advancing tourism development. These projects encompass a wide range of activities, such as special events and festivals, the enhancement of tourism attractions, support for film productions, facilitation of meetings and conventions, and the promotion of sporting events.
- Additionally, grants can be utilized for marketing campaigns that target the attraction of visitors from areas beyond a 50-mile radius of Walla Walla.
Eligible Criteria
Any public or private non-profit entity may apply for funding, including public and private agencies such as museums and galleries, historical societies, art groups, and chambers of commerce. For-profit event producers may also participate by collaborating with a non-profit or public agency in what is termed a “cooperative project.” In this arrangement, the non-profit or public agency assumes the role of an event sponsor.
For more information, visit City of Walla Walla.
