Chelan County To Award Lodging Tax Funding For Occasions, Festivals

Chelan County Commissioners are within the means of figuring out which companies and teams will get cash from lodging taxes the county collects to assist them stage an occasion or competition. 

The cash is awarded based mostly on a variety of elements, similar to whether or not the occasion will enhance tourism and conference exercise or increase in a single day stays and retail gross sales within the county. 

Commissioner Tiffany Gering says the method is aggressive. 

“As a result of now we have a budgeted quantity we’re going to allocate, we resolve if we wish to have the ability to award extra, the total quantity that individuals are asking, figuring out in the event that they match the standards, after which take that plate of suggestions to the board of commissioners,” mentioned Gering. 

The Chelan County Lodging Tax Advisory Committee collects the applying for the funding, and commissioners will meet Friday to resolve which candidates will probably be awarded. 

About $300,000 in funding is on the market this 12 months.  

Gering says there can usually be main occasions within the operating, which might have a large impression on the economic system, similar to Rails and Ales. 

Rails and Ales is an annual gathering in downtown Wenatchee the place snow is unfold throughout a sloped road for skiers and snowboarders to participate in a contest placed on by Mission Ridge resort. 

Badger Mountain is positioned adjoining to the competitors and likewise takes half within the occasion. 

Gering mentioned there are about 30 functions within the operating for the lodging tax cash this 12 months. 

A full record of the standards thought of for the funding is beneath: 

• Will increase tourism and conference exercise in Chelan County. 
• Boosts in a single day stays and/or will increase retail gross sales primarily in unincorporated Chelan County. 
• The supply of funds. The present funding obtainable for occasions/promotions is $280,000. 
• Meets reporting necessities of the State legislation. 
• General financial impression to Chelan County.