The city of Blaine is accepting applications for 2023 tourism grant proposals until 9 a.m. Friday, September 23.
Applications must include the project description, grant request and total project budget. The application should also contain how the project goes along with the city’s Blaine by the Sea tourism theme, whether it would attract people from over an hour drive away and how the proposal is unique.
Alex Wenger, the city’s tourism and economic development director, said the 2022 lodging tax revenue, which will fund 2023 tourism grants, is on the same pace as the amount collected last year. Last year, the city allocated $26,000 to four projects: $15,000 to the Blaine Chamber of Commerce for Fourth of July fireworks, $5,000 to Pacific Arts Association for Blaine Harbor Music Festival, $3,000 for Wings Over Water Northwest Birding Festival and $3,000 for the Blaine by the Sea Art Studio Tour.
The Blaine Tourism Advisory Committee (BTAC) will review applications. Project proponents will be asked to give a 10-minute presentation to BTAC on Tuesday, October 11. BTAC will recommend candidates to Blaine City Council for final approval.
“Anything you can do to tie into our 2019 tourism development and marketing plan would always be good,” Wenger said. “And anything that attracts people to Blaine that would promote overnight stays.”
Grant applications can be found on the city’s website, cityofblaine.com, or by emailing Alex Wenger at awenger@cityofblaine.com. For more information, email Wenger or call 360/543-9979.
