||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS |||
San Juan County has established a tourism facilities program, funded by a portion of the revenue collected under the State Lodging Tax excise statutes and is seeking proposals from qualified entities interested in 1) funding single project proposals concerned with acquiring, improving, or developing facilities for enhancing the tourism experience; and/or 2) matching grants for operating tourism facilities that enhance the tourism experience; and/or 3) matching grants for events that draw tourists; and/or 4) projects that carry out the goals of the San Juan County LTAC Tourism Master Plan. The expected outcome of the funded activities is to increase economic activity in San Juan County in 2022 and beyond through the overnight lodging of tourists, tourism-related expenditures, and construction of tourism-related facilities. Program categories are funded thru either the Promotional or the Facilities portions of LTAC funds. Program categories are:
- Emphasis on Tourism facilities capital program (only for facilities in which the County has an ownership position):
- Construction
- Improvement
- Renovation
- Matching grants for Tourism Events and Festivals designed to attract tourists
- Matching Grants for the operation of existing eligible tourism facilities that meet the criteria of this RFP and the long-range tourism plan (including, but not limited to historic museums, performing arts, visual arts)
- Special Investments that help to accomplish objectives of the LTAC Master Plan (available online at: http://sanjuanco.com/614/Lodging-Tax-Advisory-Committee)
Proposals are due no later than 4:30 p.m., Friday, March 4, 2022, and all projects must be completed in this funding cycle by DECEMBER 31, 2022. For information and an application, packet contact Ingrid Gabriel at the office of County Council (360) 370-7472 or ingridg@sanjuanco.com. Requests by mail should be sent to:
San Juan County
Lodging Tax Facilities Grant Program
350 Court Street #1
Friday Harbor, WA 98250
This announcement elevates the phrase ‘tone-deaf’ to a whole new level. The council has kicked the can down the road (again) by extending the VR moratorium and in the midst of a rancorous county wide debate about the role of tourism in the island, they publish a call for proposals for projects “…acquiring, improving, or developing facilities for enhancing the tourism experience,” ? Seriously?
Ken, this is *exactly* what I thought when I read it. That and “oh yes, because that’s PRECISELY what SJC needs, is more tourists! Absolutely! Tourists, very thin on the ground around here.” I’m half expecting them to next offer some kind of program to “enhance the second-home experience”. Good god.
The use of these funds is governed by State law. If you don’t like what they are allowed to be used for take it up with the State legislature, not the County Council. These comments suggest that the Council crafted this language rather than just mirroring the RCW language.
But much easier to shoot off comments online than do the smallest bit of research. People are so eager to be riled up.
Could these funds be directed to help flush out the nightmare of transportation.. better ferry service, or at least teeth to help our decomposing water transportation.