County offers new round of lodging-tax tourism grants

Snohomish County is currently accepting applications from public and nonprofit agencies for projects that promote tourism and overnight stays in the county.

Past grants have supported world-class figure skaters, vintage airplanes and internationally acclaimed composers. The funds from hotels, motels and other lodging helps Snohomish County and the Snohomish County Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) promote the arts, culture and heritage organizations that bring tourism opportunities and visitors to Snohomish County.

The program is funded through the revenue collected from hotel and motel room rentals in Snohomish County. Funds will be available January 2010 and will be awarded on a competitive basis to eligible projects that best demonstrate their ability to draw visitors to Snohomish County. Historically, the average project allocation has been about $6,500.

Details of eligibility and other program requirements are available by contacting the Snohomish County Economic Development Division at 3000 Rockefeller Avenue, M/S 411, Everett, WA 98201, or e-mail Wendy Becker at wendy. becker@snoco.org.

Completed applications are due in the Economic Development Division offices by 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26. Applications received after that time and date will not be considered for funding.