Lodging Tax Grant Program in Washington

The San Juan County 2024 Lodging Tax Grant Program is designed to enhance the tourism experience within the county. This program is funded by a portion of the revenue collected under the State Lodging Tax excise statutes, indicating a direct alignment with the mission of leveraging tourism-related revenue to reinvest in the local tourism infrastructure and offerings. The county aims to foster a vibrant tourism sector through strategic investments, thereby supporting local businesses and community development that benefits from increased visitor engagement. The target beneficiaries of this grant program include qualified entities interested in acquiring, improving, or developing tourism facilities, as well as those operating existing facilities or organizing events that attract tourists. The program also supports projects that align with the goals of the San Juan County LTAC Tourism Master Plan. The impact goals are centered around enhancing the overall tourism experience, increasing tourist visitation, and supporting the operational stability of tourism-related facilities and events within San Juan County. The program's priorities and focuses are clearly outlined across several categories. These include an emphasis on tourism facilities capital programs, specifically for facilities where the County has an ownership position, indicating a strategic focus on public assets. Grants are also provided for special events and festivals designed to attract tourists, recognizing the importance of such events in driving visitor numbers. Furthermore, the program prioritizes grants for the operation of existing eligible tourism facilities that meet specific criteria and align with the long-range tourism plan, such as historic museums, performing arts, and visual arts venues. Special investments that help accomplish the objectives of the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee and the LTAC Master Plan are also a key focus. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed, the expected outcomes can be inferred from the program's objectives. These include an improved and expanded range of tourism facilities, a higher quality of tourism experiences, and an increase in the number and impact of special events and festivals. The program's strategic priorities are to use lodging tax revenue to directly enhance and sustain tourism, aligning with a theory of change where targeted financial support leads to improved tourism infrastructure and offerings, which in turn attracts more visitors and contributes to the economic vitality of San Juan County.