Lodging Tax Grant Program

City of Renton's Lodging Tax Fund

Renton’s Lodging Tax Fund is the primary source of city funding for activities, operations, and expenditures designed to increase tourism. In addition, the city intends to maintain a reserve in the fund, and will assess on an annual basis how much of the fund to appropriate in a given year.

Renton City Council has created a Lodging Tax Advisory Committee to conduct an annual process to solicit and recommend Lodging Tax funded services for City Council consideration.

The City of Renton will only consider proposals for use of the Lodging Tax Fund from public and non-profit agencies.

Priority

  • Have a demonstrated potential or high potential from the Committee’s perspective to result in overnight stays by tourists in lodging establishments within the City of Renton.

  • Promote Renton and/or events, activities, and places in the City of Renton to potential tourists from outside our city.

  • Have demonstrated or high potential from the committee’s perspective to result in documented economic benefit to Renton.

  • Have a demonstrated history of success in Renton, or are proposed by a group with a demonstrated history or high potential of success with similar activities.

  • Minimize duplication of services where appropriate and encourage cooperative marketing and/or includes an element of cooperation or partnership.

  • Provide, maintain, operate or enhance city-owned tourism facilities or infrastructure.

Committee Considerations

In developing its recommendations, the committee considers:

  • The estimated amount of Lodging Tax Funds available for the coming year as provided by the city’s finance office.

  • Thoroughness and completeness of the proposal.

  • Percent of the proposal request to the event/facility promotions budget and overall revenues.

  • Percent of increase over prior year Renton Lodging Tax funded proposals, if any.

  • Projected economic impact within the City of Renton, in particular projected overnight stays in Renton lodging establishments.

  • The applicant’s financial stability.

  • The applicant’s history of tourism promotion success.

  • Committee member general knowledge of the community and tourism-related activities.

2019 Application Timeline

Please note that the dates and requirements for this and future application cycles are subject to change.

November 5, 2018 - Application available

November 9, 2018, 9 a.m. - Application workshop for interested applicants. Renton City Hall (6th Floor, Room 620)

November 30, 2018 - Applications due (hardcopy and email) by 5 p.m.

December 3, 2018 - LTAC subcommittee to receive electronic copies of applications for review

December 7, 2018 - Special LTAC meeting to review applications

December 10, 2018 - Special LTAC meeting to interview final applicants

January 2019 - Funding list reviewed by Renton City Council

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