Purpose

The City of Ritzville is seeking applications for the 2027 Ritzville Visitor Impact Grant Fund. This program provides financial assistance to projects, events, and activities that enhance tourism, promote the local economy, and create a positive impact on visitors to Ritzville. Funding is intended to support initiatives that align with the City’s mission to increase tourism-related revenue and improve the visitor experience.

Funding is provided from a four percent tax on charges for overnight lodging in the City of Ritzville (2% is considered a basic hotel/motel tax and the second 2% is a credit against the sales tax that lodging establishments collect).

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State Law Defining the Use of Lodging Tax

The Washington State Legislature enacted changes to the laws governing the use and reporting of lodging tax revenues with the passage of ESHB 1253 in the 2013 legislative session. These changes, in part, established requirements for reporting information on the use of lodging tax which have been incorporated into the Lodging Tax/Tourism Promotion application. Revised Code of Washington (RCW), Chapter 67.28 ‘Public Stadium, Convention, Arts and Tourism Facilities’ provides detailed information about the use, award, and reporting of tourism funds.

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Important Terms Relating to RCW 67.28:

Tourism: economic activity resulting from tourists, which may include sales of overnight lodging, meals, tours, gifts, or souvenirs.

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Tourism promotion: activities, operations, and expenditures designed to increase tourism, including but not limited to advertising, publicizing, or otherwise distributing information for the purpose of attracting and welcoming tourists; developing strategies to expand tourism; operating tourism promotion agencies; and funding the marketing of or the operation of special events and festivals designed to attract tourists.

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Tourism-related facility: real or tangible personal property with a usable life of three or more years, or constructed with volunteer labor that is: Owned by a public entity; owned by a nonprofit organization described under section 501(c)(3) or owned by a nonprofit organization described under section 501(c)(6) of the federal revenue code, a business organization, destination marketing organization, main street organization, lodging association, or chamber of commerce and used to support tourism, performing arts, or to accommodate tourist activities.

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Eligible Applicants

Applications are open to:

• Nonprofit organizations

• Business organizations

• Chamber of Commerce

• Marketing Destination Organization

• Governmental entities

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Applicants must be able to carry out the proposed project within the awarded budget and comply with all program requirements.

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Eligible Uses of Funds

Grant funds may be used for activities or projects that:

• Attract visitors to Ritzville

• Promote tourism-related activities and events

• Support and enhance facilities, infrastructure, or services that improve the visitor experience

• Support marketing and advertising campaigns designed to attract tourists

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Examples include:

• Event promotion and advertising

• Visitor amenities (e.g., signage, public art, wayfinding)

• Facility improvements that directly benefit tourism

• Tourism-related educational or cultural programs

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Funding Details

• Total available funding is subject to City budget approval.

• Grant amounts may vary depending on the scope and impact of the proposal.

• Funds will be awarded on a competitive basis, and partial funding may be offered.

• All awarded funds must be used within the grant year.

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Application Requirements

Applicants must submit a complete proposal via the online form, email a thorough and specific project budget, and if applicable, any letter of support to: julie.flyckt@ritzville-wa.us.

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Before submitting the application online, download the online form outlines to gather the information you need to apply. For organizations without a well-defined budget, a budget template is provided below for your convenience.

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