Thurston County, Washington

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County Contacts
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Thurston County Washington

Board of County Commissioners

Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC)

​​The Thurston County Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) receives all applications for lodging tax revenue and recommends a list of candidates and funding levels to the Board of County Commissioners for final determination.

The Lodging Tax is an excise (sales) tax authorized by Chapter 67.28 RCW Public Stadium, Convention, Arts and Tourism Facilities. It is paid by people who stay overnight in a lodging establishment such as a hotel, motel, bed and breakfast facility, or campground. The Lodging Tax may be awarded to organizations to promote tourism events, locations, and activities for the purpose of attracting visitors to Thurston County.

 

Apply

 Applications for the 2025 award cycle is now closed. Please check back for award recipients and for future applications.  

 

While the total Lodging Tax Award amount will not be finalized until late December 2024, the LTAC is expecting to have approximately $150,000 to distribute.

 For any questions, please e-mail Ellen Massey at ellen.massey@co.thurston.wa.us or call at 360-596-5153

 

Use of Funds:

Lodging tax awards must be used for tourism promotion, acquisition of tourism-related facilities, or operation of tourism-related facilities, including:

  • Tourism promotion/marketing
  • Operation of a special event or festival designed to attract tourists
  • Operation of a Tourism Promotion Agency
  • Operation of a tourism related facility owned or operated by a non-profit organization
  • Operation and/or capital costs of a tourism-related facility owned by a municipality 

 

Meetings

The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee will meet in person to review applications in mid-January 2025 at 3000 Pacific Avenue Olympia, WA, in Board Room 110. This meeting is open to the public.

 

2025 Funded Projects

Thurston County Economic Development Council: $27,200

Thurston County Fairgrounds: $26,630

Tenino Area Chamber of Commerce: $11,840

Olympia Funk Festival: $11,600

We love Rainier Washington: $9,020

Olympia Harbor Days: $8,850

Washington Center for Performing Arts: $8,400

Capital Lakefair: $8,400

Yelm Chamber of Commerce: $7,200

Olympia Flight Museum: $6,300

Hands on Children Museum: $6,100

Wolf Haven International: $5,600

American Lung Association: $5,100

Grand Mound Rochester Chamber of Commerce: $3,710

Washington State Senior Games: $2,800

Grays Harbor Historical Seaport: $1,250