PORT ANGELES — The three Clallam County commissioners unanimously approved $1.39 million in lodging tax funds for four different organizations.
At their Tuesday regular session, the commissioners gave $1 million to the Olympic Peninsula Visitor Bureau to promote and develop a multifaceted, year-round tourism industry in the county.
The county’s lodging tax fund can only be used to support projects that encourage overnight tourism stays, or “heads in beds.” The fund is generated through a 4 percent tax on stays at short-term lodging establishments in the county.
The second-largest grant was $200,000 for Field Arts & Events Hall to support the operation of tourism-related facilities.
The county public works department was awarded $100,000 for Olympic Discovery Trail improvement projects.
Also, $90,000 went to the Hurricane Ridge Winter Sports Education Foundation for help with the Hurricane Ridge ski, snowboard and tubing operations and the shuttle service.
Overall, the lodging tax generates about $1.8 million to $2 million per year for the fund, County Commissioner Randy Johnson said.
Applications for those funds first go to the nine-member Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC), made up of those who help generate the tax and potential users of the money, as well as one of the commissioners.
The applications also are reviewed by a county attorney to make sure they are legally eligible for the funds.
“There are many things [applications] that are turned down entirely because it doesn’t meet the criteria,” Johnson said.
Once applications are approved and voted on by LTAC, they are sent to the commissioners for final approval.
Organizations that receive lodging tax funds must collect data showing how many heads in beds were generated because of the activities and operations that money funded.
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Reporter Emma Maple can be reached by email at emma.maple@peninsuladailynews.com.
