14 organizations to benefit from lodging taxes in Tumwater

Fourteen organizations involved in tourism-related programs and events will benefit from lodging tax funds in Tumwater.

The beneficiaries are going to share $248,958. The money will be divided in accordance with the allocations approved by the Tumwater City Council at a meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 21. 

The Tumwater Lodging Tax Advisory Committee developed the allocations after the organizations presented their funding proposals in September. 

Altogether, the groups had requested $356,500, so it was the committee’s job to decide how they would distribute a budget limited to $250,000. 

The committee was comprisesd of City Council member Eileen Swarthout and representatives from three groups involved in tourism: Olympic Flight Museum, La Quinta Inn & Suites and Tumwater Area Chamber of Commerce. 

The biggest beneficiary in this round of funding was Olympic Flight Museum, which was given $46,833 for its annual air show.

Experience Olympia & Beyond was next up with $46,000, which will be used to fund sponsorships at sporting events and bid fees to competitions.

The Tumwater Downtown Association followed with $27,500, which will be used to promote the annual Tumwater Family 4th of July Festival. 

Most recipients were returning applicants except for three organizations. SWAE LLC will receive $8,250 for its 'Driven by Community' Block Party, a car showcase. PARC Foundation of Thurston County will get $7,250 for its Olympia Funk Festival. Lastly, RevMo Choppers and Coffee will be awarded $5,000 for its RevMo Runway Motorcycle Show. 

Other beneficiaries include: 

• Tumwater Soccer Club with $16,500

• Washington Center for the Performing Arts with $13,500

• Washington State Senior Games with $12,000

• Capital Lakefair lnc. with $9,125

• Olympia Symphony Orchestra with $9,000

• Team-Tomorrow LLC with $7,875

• Tumwater Historical Association with $4,250

The city will also benefit, as city staff applied for and received funding for the following: Tumwater Fall Fest, Artesian Brewfest, Tumwater Valley Golf Club and the Olympia/Lacey/Thurston County fan zone. Altogether, these initiatives were allocated $35,875. 

Historic, cultural preservation 

The city’s lodging tax is a 4% tax on hotel and motel stays within the city. Half of the collected taxes are used to support organizations dealing with tourism-related programs, while the other half is used to fund historic and cultural preservation activities. 

On top of the $248,958, the city council also approved the allocation of $210,00 for historic and cultural preservation activities.

The city will use $110,000 to continue its contract with the Olympia Tumwater Foundation, which supports the city's historic programs. 

The city also allocated $70,000 to maintain the Crosby and Brewmaster houses, and $30,000 for the Old Brewhouse Tower.