Submitted by SJC.

San Juan County is pleased to announce that the 2025 Lodging Tax Grant Application will be live on Sept. 2. Applications are due by Oct. 3 at 5 p.m. Applications will be reviewed during October, with award notification scheduled for this December. 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:

• Funding single project proposals concerned with acquiring, improving or developing facilities for enhancing the tourism experience.

• Grants for operating tourism facilities that enhance the tourism experience.

• Grants for events that draw tourists.

• Projects that carry out the goals of the San Juan County LTAC Master Plan.

The expected outcome of the funded activities is to increase economic activity in San Juan County in 2025/26 and beyond through the overnight lodging of tourists, through tourism-related expenditures, and the construction of tourism-related facilities. Program categories are funded through 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).

• Grants for special events and festivals designed to attract tourists.

• Grants for 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, etc.).

Proposals are due no later than 5 p.m., Oct. 3, and all projects must be completed in this funding cycle by Dec. 31, 2026. For information, visit https://www.sanjuancountywa.gov/2087/Lodging-Tax-Annual-Grant-Program. For questions: 360-370-7473 or aidenh@sanjuancountywa.gov. Applications can be delivered in PDF to aidenh@sanjuancountywa.gov.