County allocates nearly $182,000 to local tourism projects
On Tuesday, a number of local tourism projects were provided funds through the county Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC).
On their meeting agenda, the Grays Harbor Commissioners were presented a request from the county Tourism Department to allocate funding through the 2021 GH Tourism Grant Program.
In total, over $80,000 was recommended for Festival and Event Grant Applications and Hospitality Projects and an additional $100,000 for Major Tourism Project Grants.
The committee presented the recommendations after voting on them at their November meeting, adding that the 3% Lodging Tax that funds the grant programs has done well during the Covid-19 restriction period and those revenues are on track to meet or potentially come in above 2020 budget projections.
Included in the funded events were over $44,000 to the International Mermaid Museum, nearly $34,000 for the USA Freeride Championships, $20,000 for Olympic Stadium repairs, and more.
The recommendation was approved unanimously by the commissioners.
| Project | Applicant | Amount Requested | Amount Funded | |
| Aberdeen RV Park | City of Aberdeen | $20,000.00 | $20,000.00 | |
| Friends Landing Good Sam Advertising | Port of Grays Harbor | $4,000.00 | $4,000.00 | |
| Grayland Community Hall Repairs | Cranberry Heritage Group | $2,200.00 | $2,200.00 | |
| International Mermaid Museum | International Mermaid Museum | $11,429.00 | $11,429.00 | |
| Total Allocated – Hospitality Projects: | $37,629.00 | |||
| Project | Applicant | Amount Requested | Amount Funded | |
| Reach the Beach | American Lung Assn. | $5,000.00 | $0.00 | |
| Festival of Lights | Montesano Chamber of Commerce | $5,000.00 | $5,000.00 | |
| Cranberry Harvest Festival | Westport/Grayland Chamber of Commerce | $1,800.00 | $1,800.00 | |
| Elma Winter Wine Festival | Elma Chamber of Commerce | $5,000.00 | $5,000.00 | |
| Haunted Seaport | GH Historical Seaport | $5,000.00 | $5,000.00 | |
| International Mermaid Museum | Museum Grand Opening | $12,250.00 | $5,000.00 | *Note: Allowed Max Request = $5k |
| Driftwood Show | Grayland Players | $1,500.00 | $1,500.00 | |
| Elma Haunted Barn | Elma Chamber of Commerce | $5,000.00 | $5,000.00 | |
| OREC | OREC Advertising | $5,000.00 | $5,000.00 | |
| Heat on the Street | Elma Chamber of Commerce | $5,000.00 | $5,000.00 | |
| Catch Montesano | Montesano Chamber of Commerce | $5,000.00 | $5,000.00 | |
| Comedy of Errors | Aberdeen Shakespearian Theatre | $1,000.00 | $1,000.00 | |
| Rusty Scruppers Pirate Daze | Half Moon Bay Pirates | $5,000.00 | $0.00 | |
| Midnight Cruizers Car Show | Midnight Cruizers Car Club | $2,000.00 | $0.00 | |
| Total Allocated Festival and Event Grants: | $44,300.00 | |||
|
Total Allocated Hospitality and Festival/Events:
|
$81,929.00 | |||
| Project | Applicant | Amount Requested | Amount Funded | |
| Olympic Stadium Repair | Restore City of Hoquiam | $20,000.00 | $20,000.00 | |
| USA Freeride Championships | Westcoast Jet Sports | $33,700.00 | $33,700.00 | |
| Reach the Beach | American Lung Assn. | $25,000.00 | $0.00 | |
| Seaport Landing | GH Historical Seaport | $15,000.00 | $15,000.00 | |
| International Mermaid Museum | Museum Infrastructure | $27,901.00 | $27,901.00 | |
| Aberdeen Farmers Market | WHOLE Harbor | $20,000.00 | $3,399.00 | |
| Total Allocated – Major Tourism Projects: | $100,000.00 |