CONTACT: Ellen Massey, Thurston County Management Analyst, 360-596-5153, or email at ellen.massey@co.thurston.wa.us

County Seeks Applications for 2026 Lodging Tax Funds 
Applications due by Wednesday, December 24, 2025, at 5 p.m.

OLYMPIA –The Thurston County Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) is accepting applications for qualified projects occurring in Thurston County in 2026.

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.

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. 

The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee is expecting to have approximately $250,000 to distribute to local applicants. Applicants must include proposals for tourism-related services in Thurston County occurring in 2026. 

To find the application, contact and general information on the current LTAC funding cycle visit the County’s  LTAC webpage. Applications must be submitted no later than Wednesday, December 24, 2025, at 5 p.m. Please submit via email to ellen.massey@co.thurston.wa.us or applications can be mailed to Thurston County ATTN. Ellen Massey 3000 Pacific Avenue SE, Olympia, WA 98501

LTAC will review proposals in January 2026. Meeting dates will be announced in late December or early January. Meetings to review applications are open to the public and will take place in the Thurston County Atrium Building, Room 110, and via Zoom.