22 organizations to receive lodging tax dollars from Chelan County

WENATCHEE -- Chelan County commissioners awarded $328,600 in lodging tax dollars to a variety of tourist-related organizations.

The awards come at the recommendation of the Chelan County Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC), which reviewed this year’s applications and interviewed some of the finalists.

“We are especially excited to see some new applicants in this round of annual funding,” said Tiffany Gering, Chelan County commissioner and LTAC chairman. “Because we had several good applications and tourist-generating projects, the committee also decided to award more money than we originally budgeted – about $50,000 more.”

In 2023, 22 groups or nonprofit agencies will receive a portion of the $328,600 allocated in grants. They will use the money in a variety of efforts, from marketing and outreach to new and well-established festivals to museum exhibits and a youth baseball tournament.

The recipients are:

• Leavenworth Autumn Leaf Festival ($15,000)

• Buckner Homestead ($2,700)

• Cashmere Chamber marketing plan ($4,800)

• Cashmere Museum ($7,400)

• Chelan County Expo Center ($20,000)

• Chelan Rustlers rodeo ($25,000)

• Icicle Creek Center for the Arts ($15,000)

• Lake Chelan Arts Council ($5,500)

• Lake Chelan Wine and Jazz ($33,000)

• Lake Chelan Wine Alliance ($30,000)

• Leavenworth Summer Theater ($15,000)

• Leavenworth Village Voices ($8,000)

• Manson Chamber pickleball tournament ($15,000)

• Ohme Gardens ($30,000)

• Stehekin Heritage guidebook ($3,500)

• Upper Valley Historical Society ($17,500)

• Wenatchee Arts Alliance ($11,000)

• Wenatchee Chamber Rails and Ailes ($5,000)

• Wenatchee Chamber La Terreza ($10,000)

• Wenatchee River Bluegrass Festival ($15,000)

• Wenatchee Valley Museum ($25,200)

• Wenatchee Youth Baseball tournament ($15,000)

Overall, the county received 30 applications. Another call for applications related to tourism-related capital projects is expected this spring. The call for applications will be posted to the county’s website: www.co.chelan.wa.us.

Lodging tax dollars are generated by local lodging establishments. In unincorporated Chelan County, about half the money generated in a year is allocated to six local chambers as well as Ohme Gardens, the Cascade Loop and TREAD. Another portion is used to operate the county’s Visit Chelan County campaign. Learn more about LTAC and lodging tax dollars on the county’s website: www.co.chelan.wa.us/board-of-commissioners/pages/lodging-tax-advisory-committee.