The City of Renton Grant Program aims to support tourism-related projects and programs through arts/cultural, sporting activities, recreation, heritage, or community-based activities. The primary mission alignment is to promote tourism, cultural activities, and tourism facilities within Renton, Washington. This program is funded through the city's share of state tax on lodging rentals, with funding decisions guided by the City Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC).
The target beneficiaries include nonprofits (such as main street organizations, lodging associations, or chambers of commerce) and municipalities (like Arts Commissions, Park Boards, and Planning Commissions) that can effectively promote tourism and generate economic benefits for Renton. The impact goals are to increase overnight stays by tourists, promote Renton to potential tourists from outside the city, and generate documented economic benefits for the city.
The program prioritizes proposals that have a high potential to result in overnight stays by tourists, promote Renton and its events to outside visitors, and demonstrate a positive economic impact. Other key focuses include minimizing service duplication, encouraging cooperative marketing, maintaining or enhancing city-owned tourism facilities, and involving multi-day events that promote diversity and inclusivity.
Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in tourism activity, enhanced cultural and recreational offerings, and strengthened economic vitality within Renton. Projects are expected to use funds strictly for marketing and promotional purposes, such as hiring marketing professionals or advertising agencies to reach audiences 50 miles away or more.
All applications must address specific uses restricted by state law: tourism marketing; marketing and operations of special events and festivals; operations of tourism-related facilities owned or operated by non-profit organizations; or operations and capital expenditures of tourism-related facilities owned by municipalities or public facilities districts only. The program's strategic priority is to leverage lodging tax funds to maximize tourism promotion and ensure a positive return on investment for the city.
