CONTACT:    Jennica Machado, Thurston County Economic Development Manager, 360-522-6137, or email at jennica.machado@co.thurston.wa.us

OLYMPIA – The Thurston County Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) is accepting applications for qualified projects occurring in unincorporated Thurston County in 2024.

Lodging Tax funds may be used to promote tourism events, locations, and activities for the purpose of attracting visitors to this area. Lodging tax revenue may also be used to pay for capital and/or operating costs for some tourism-related facilities, the operation of visitor/convention agencies, and the operation and marketing of special events and festivals designed to attract tourists. While the total Lodging Tax Award amount will not be finalized until December 19, 2023, the LTAC is expecting to have approximately $150,000 to distribute.

Applicants must include proposals for tourism-related services in Thurston County occurring in 2024. LTAC will give high priority to tourism activities:

• Demonstrating potential or high potential to result in overnight stays by tourists in lodging establishments within Thurston County.
• Promoting Thurston County and/or events, activities, and places in the county to potential tourists from outside Thurston County.
• Demonstrating potential or high potential to result in documented economic benefit to Thurston County.
• Having demonstrated history of success in Thurston County or are proposed by a group with a demonstrated history or high potential of success with similar activities.
• Minimizing duplication of services where appropriate and encouraging cooperative marketing and/or include an element of cooperation or partnership.
• Providing, maintaining, operating, or enhancing county-owned tourism facilities or infrastructure.

Find information, applications, and Zoom links to join LTAC meetings on the LTAC webpage. Applications must be submitted no later than Friday, December 29, 2023, at 5 p.m. Please submit via email to Jennica.machado@co.thurston.wa.us or original application and five paper copies to Jennica Machado, Thurston County Atrium Complex, Rm. 200, 3000 Pacific Ave SE, Olympia, WA 98501.

LTAC will review proposals in January 2024. LTAC will announce the dates in late December or early January. Meetings to review applications will take place in public meetings at the Thurston County Atrium Building, Room 110, and via Zoom.

The Lodging Tax is an excise (sales) tax authorized by Chapter 67.28 RCW Public Stadium, Convention, Arts and Tourism Facilities. It is a fee for people who stay overnight in a lodging establishment such as a hotel, motel, bed and breakfast facility, or campground.

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