For the Reporter

The Auburn Tourism Board is seeking applicants for 2015 Lodging Tax Grants.

Grants are available for marketing and operating expenses of festivals and events designed to attract tourists, capital and/or operating costs of tourism-related facilities owned by the City, and operating expenses of tourism-related facilities operated by 501c3 and 501c6 nonprofit organizations.

If awarded, grant funds must be used for activities, operations and expenditures designed to increase tourism. Deadline to apply is May 29.

Specifically, lodging taxes can be used for:

• Tourism marketing

• Marketing and operations of special events and festivals designed to attract tourists

• Operations and capital expenditures of tourism-related facilities owned or operated by a municipality or a public facilities district

• Operations of tourism-related facilities owned or operated by nonprofit organizations. (RCW 67.28.1816)

• Staff support of the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee

• Direct costs of administration would be allowed

• The allocation of support services must demonstrate it provides a benefit to the Committee

• Local government must document those services and the costs to ensure that they are fair and equitable. Must be solely for the purpose of paying all or any part of the cost of tourism promotion. The creation of the tourism board’s primary function is to promote and market tourism

Suggested applicants would be:

• Convention and visitors bureaus

• Destination marketing organizations

• Nonprofits, including main street organizations, lodging associations, or chambers of commerce

• Municipalities

Once applications are received, the Auburn Lodging Tax Advisory Committee will review all applications and make recommendations to the City Council for final approval on who will be the recipients and at what amount. If awarded, the selected recipient will enter into a contract with the City of Auburn for the administration of the grants.

For more information or to receive an application, contact Debbie Luce at dluce@auburnwa.gov or 253-876-1978.