Olympic Peninsula Visitor Bureau offers tourism grant funds

The Olympic Peninsula Visitor Bureau seeks applications for tourism project grants, primarily to support shoulder season activities within Clallam County.

The bureau awards grants four times during the year. The next grant deadline is Sept. 4, two weeks prior to the bureau’s board meeting (Sept. 19) when the applications will be considered for funding.

A subsequent deadline for 2018 is Nov. 1, pending availability of funds.

Grants support tourism collateral production, promotion of area festivals and events, and website development, primarily within Clallam County.

Grant guidelines and applications are available at www.olympicpeninsula.org/page/tourism-grants.

Those interested in applying for a grant are encouraged to call Marsha Massey, executive director of Olympic Peninsula Visitor Bureau, at 360-452-8552.

Funds for this grant program are generated by the hotel/motel tax on lodging facilities in unincorporated Clallam County. Lodging tax revenue is designated for the promotion of tourism to encourage long-term economic growth through tourism-related projects or events that attract overnight guests to the destination.

“Visitor spending helps support jobs across a wide group of businesses and generates significant state and local tax revenues,” Massey said.

“We are eager to work with stakeholders who request our grant funds to help create new possibilities to promote Clallam County and the Olympic Peninsula and bring visitors during spring and fall to increase shoulder season travel.”