​​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 are now open until December 24 at 5pm for tourism related projects occurring in 2026. 

Please click the link below for the application and reach out to Ellen Massey at ellen.massey@co.thurston.wa.us with any questions or concerns. 

The LTAC is expecting to have approximately $250,000 to distribute for allowable expenses happening in 2026.

 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 Funding