PORT ANGELES — The Olympic Peninsula Visitor Bureau has awarded a total of $17,650 in grants to eight projects aimed at increasing tourism in Clallam County.
Grant money comes from sales tax revenues collected by lodgings in the unincorporated areas of Clallam County.
With these eight grants awarded, $17,350 still remains in the grant fund for 2014.
Overnight visitation
Grants are available specifically to encourage overnight visitation within Clallam County.
Tourism in Clallam County accounts for 3,240 local jobs and $212.3 million annually in travel spending, according to Washington Travel Impacts 1999-2012, Executive Director Diane Schostak said.
Two new events are the Great Olympic Adventure Trail Run, a full marathon-distance trail running event that will take place on the Olympic Adventure Trail west of Port Angeles, funded for $1,850; and the Port Angeles Kayak and Film Festival, which received funding of $4,000.
Tourism commission
A grant also was awarded to Neah Bay for $2,500 to participate in the Olympic Peninsula Tourism Commission, a 13-member tourism marketing cooperative.
Repeat investments are for the Dungeness Cup Soccer Tournament, $3,500; the Olympic Adventure Trail Run, $700; the Tour de Lavender cycling event, $3,000; Dungeness River Audubon Center BirdFest, $1,000; and the Forest Story Telling Festival, $1,000.
“We are thrilled with the number and quality of applications we have received this year and are pleased to work with these stakeholders to promote the Olympic Peninsula,” Schostak said.
Tourism Enhancement Grant funds are derived from revenue generated by a special tax on lodging facilities in unincorporated Clallam County.
This revenue is earmarked to encourage long-term economic growth through tourism-related projects or events that attract overnight destination guests.
Local distribution
The visitor bureau distributes the funds locally in the form of grants as long as funds are available.
Grant guidelines and applications are available at www.olympicpeninsula.org or by phoning Schostak at 360-452-8552.