- Home
- Your City
- Boards and Commissions
- Boards & Commissions A - L
- Lodging Tax Advisory Committee
- Learn more about the LTAC grants
Learn more about LTAC grants
About
The hotel/motel tax fund grants, or Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) grants, is funding available to non-profits and public agencies for projects that assist with tourism development and promotion in the city of Everett.
The grant program is made possible through taxes paid by consumers when they stay in paid lodging in the city of Everett and overseen by the LTAC.
Watch a recording of the Feb. 23, 2023 virtual LTAC meeting on YouTube.
Application
The application for funding closed at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023.
2023 funds were awarded on a competitive basis to eligible applicants with the demonstrated ability to complete their proposed projects by December 31, 2023. All applicants were notified of their application's status in March.
LTAC Meeting
The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee will next meet in early 2024 to discuss the applications received and make recommendations to the City Council on which projects/ programs should receive funding.
Meeting Materials
February 2023 meeting
- Who can apply for and receive an LTAC grant?
-
Non-profits and public agencies may apply for a LTAC grant. For-profit event producers may apply by partnering with a non-profit or public agency. This is called a “cooperative project” where the non-profit or public agency serves as a sponsor of the event.
- How long does it take to fill out the application?
-
We estimate that it takes about 90 minutes to read, comprehend and thoughtfully answer the questions. We strongly suggest that you read the application in its entirety before filling it out. Make note of any questions you may have and reach out to Simone Tarver at starver@everettwa.gov for answers. You’ll have a much easier time with the application if you prepare all pertinent information before putting “pen to paper.”
- What is LTAC?
-
LTAC is an acronym for the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee. The acronym gets used several ways when discussing the lodging tax grant program and is commonly used to describe the grant fund. For example, people may say, “you may want to consider applying for LTAC to help promote your event.” In this scenario, you apply to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) who oversees the grant funds distribution.
- Where does the LTAC money come from?
-
The grant program is made possible through taxes paid by consumers when they stay in paid lodging in the city of Everett.
- When are applications due?
-
The LTAC application closed at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023. The application will re-open in early 2024.
- How do I submit my application?
-
Email your completed application to Simone Tarver at starver@everettwa.gov.
Or mail it to:
City of Everett
C/O Simone Tarver
2930 Wetmore Ave.
Suite 10-A
Everett, WA 98201 - How and when will I hear back about the status of my application?
-
You will hear back via email in March.
- How do I improve my chances of receiving an LTAC grant?
-
The LTAC grades all applications using the same grading criteria which can be found on pages six and seven of the application. Applicants earn “bonus points” for programs and events that occur in the off-season (Sept. 1 – June 30) and generate overnight visitation where guests stay in paid accommodations.
- Where can I read the RCW about lodging taxes?
-
Information regarding lodging taxes may be found in RCW 67.28.
- What can an LTAC grant be used for?
-
We are putting together a user-friendly guide to eligible expenses, but for now, please see RCW 67.28.1816.
- How should I track the number of overnight stays my program or event generates?
-
You can approach this in several ways.
If your event or program requires attendees to register or buy a ticket, you can include the following survey questions when they check out:
- Are they staying in overnight paid accommodations?
- Are they traveling over 50 miles and staying overnight in unpaid accommodations (with friends or family)?
- Are they traveling over 50 miles and staying for the day only?
You can work with hoteliers on “special rates” for those who attend your event or program. At the end of your program or event, you can get reports from hotels that show how many times guests used your special rate.
If you’d like to take a more analog approach, you can also survey attendees during your event.