Tumwater invites applications for 2025 lodging tax funding 

The City of Tumwater is now accepting applicants who seek to receive funding from lodging taxes. Organizations that plan to conduct programs or host activities that generate tourism in Tumwater are eligible to receive funding, the city stated in a public notice on July 31.  

The lodging tax is a 4% tax on hotel and motel stays in the city. The city puts half of the collected taxes toward tourism-related activities, distributing the funds to eligible applicants annually based on the recommendations of the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee. 

The city encourages organizers of new events or festivals in Tumwater to apply for funding. The city stated that lodging tax funds can help with marketing and operation costs for special events and festivals.  

Deadline:  Applications and supporting documents must be submitted before 12 p.m. on Friday, August 30. 

The funding is only available for events in 2025. The city will not distribute lodging tax funds for cancelled events. 

The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee will interview applicants in September or October, before finalizing their recommendations, which will then be forwarded to the city council for approval. Organizations successful in their application must enter an agreement with the city and submit documentation of their program or activity. 

The city awarded $189,993 from lodging taxes to 13 organizations in 2023.  

The other half of lodging taxes goes towards tourism-related historic and cultural programs.  For last year’s funding cycle, the city used this portion of the taxes for its own programs, the restoration of the old brewhouse, and to contract with the Olympia Tumwater Foundation. 

Lodging tax application forms are available on the city's website or by contacting Executive Assistant Brittaney McClanahan on (360) 754-4120. 

EDITOR'S NOTE: This article was written by a human reporter with some assistance from artificial intelligence. Our team carefully reviewed and edited all information to ensure accuracy and relevance.