The Grays Harbor County Department of Tourism is now accepting applications for three tourism-related grant programs.
The grant programs and their deadlines:
• Festival and event grants (deadline Oct. 31, 2016)
• Tourism services and projects (deadline Oct. 31, 2016)
• Special marketing project funding (for consideration at Jan. 2017 LTAC meeting: Dec. 31, 2016; for consideration at May 2017 LTAC meeting: April 29, 2017)
Under State law (RCW 67.28), Grays Harbor County receives funds from room taxes imposed on lodging facilities. These funds can be retained and utilized by the county for tourism promotional operations or expended for projects and activities established by an eligible entity under state law.
Grays Harbor Tourism Grant applications will be accepted from qualifying non-profit entities organizing tourism based activities within Grays Harbor County, except those municipalities that are allowed by law to collect and manage 3 percent lodging tax revenues generated within their corporate limits. Grant funding is provided to increase tourism activity within Grays Harbor County.
Full details regarding what is a qualifying organization, and/or expense, is available on the appropriate grant application. Applicants with additional questions can contact the Grays Harbor Tourism Office, which allocates more than $200,000 in grant funds annually.
“We are very fortunate that our County Commissioners have continued to support the funding of this grant program. They understand that tourism is vital to Grays Harbor’s economic success,” said Kelly Peterson-Lalka, GH Tourism Public Relations/Office Manager.
“Tourism results in more than $260 million of revenue and over 5,000 jobs for Grays Harbor County. When we support tourism, our local communities reap the rewards in tax revenue, jobs and community infrastructure. It is a win-win.”
Applications for grant funding are available from the Grays Harbor Tourism office. For more information, contact Kelly Peterson-Lalka at (360) 482-2651 or at: petersonk@co.grays-harbor.wa.us
