2026 Kittitas County Lodging Tax Small Business Microgrant Application

Kittitas County, as the County Lodging Tax Grant Administrator, offers the Kittitas County Lodging Tax Small Business Microgrant, a reimbursable grant of up to $2,500 to support projects that align with Washington State lodging tax laws. This program is funded through lodging tax revenues and must comply with RCW 67.28.1817, which mandates that funds be used exclusively for tourism promotion and activities that attract and accommodate overnight visitors.

Eligibility & Requirements:

• Each entity may apply for a maximum award of $2,500.
• Funding is administered through the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce per PSA 2026 funding guidelines.
• Locally owned and managed with local decision-making authority.
• Have current Washington Business license at the time of the grant award
• Been in business for at least one year from the date of application.
• Priority is given to businesses in Tourism industry.

Eligible Uses of Funds:

• Visitor-Focused Marketing (for advertising outside of 50 miles of your business)
  o   Print: newspaper/flyer/direct mail
  o   Electronic: TV/radio, video streaming
  o   Publications: magazines/guides/playbills
  o   Web/Internet/Technology: Digital/social/online marketing such as pay per click, e-mail marketing, banner ads.  Also, website implementation, website design or website mobile responsiveness (website hosting is not eligible)
  o   Collateral: brochures/DVDs/CDs
  o   Radio Advertising
• Music & Entertainment for Visitor Ambience
  o   Music licensing (BMI, ASCAP, SESAC) Fees.
  o   Modest performer fees: generally, up to $500 per performance
• WSDOT Directional Signage Only
  o   WSDOT tourism directional signage fees
  o   Installation costs assessed by WSDOT (if under capital threshold)

Ineligible Expenses

• Owner or employee wages
• No special events
• No capital expenses (>$5,000 or lasting 3+ years)

Grant Guidelines:

• You must attract visitors by traveling 50+ miles
• Each business is eligible for a maximum award of $2,500 in lodging tax funds; provided through the Chamber of Commerce per PSA 2026 funding.  (if awarded during consolidated process, you are not eligible)
• Projects should align with increasing overnight stays in Kittitas County, growth of visitors coming to Kittitas County, and/or increasing non-resident visitor expenditures in Kittitas County.
• Specific metrics and outcomes must be identified and documented in the proposal.
• Advertising must include the appropriate county and city logo(s).  Guidelines and/or logos can be found here https://centralwashingtonoutdoor.com/media-room/ , https://myellensburg.com/media-room/, and https://cleelum.gov/forms-and-applications/logos/

Reporting requirements
Successful recipients will have further requirements when reviewing contracts.
 
Application timeline
Applications received and reviewed on a rolling basis from inception until funding has been exhausted.  Successful recipients will be notified by email or telephone as soon as possible.

For further details on lodging tax regulations, visit: RCW 67.28.1817.

Business License Upload

Per application guidelines, applicants will have been in business for at least one year from the date of the application and have applicable business license.

Please upload a copy of your Washington State Business License

This section helps us understand your project or program and how it contributes to tourism in our community. The more details you provide, the better we can assess its potential impact. Be specific about how your project attracts visitors, how you measure sucess, and why it benefits the local economy. Clear, well-documented responses will strengthen your application and help us ensure lodging tax funds are used effectively.

Lodging Tax Grant – Allowable & Non-Allowable Expenses:

The Lodging Tax Advisory Committees have determined that certain expenses are NOT eligible for funding, even if tourism-related. These include, but are not limited to:
❌ Special Events and expenses related to special events
❌ Items for resale
❌ Food & drink (except for volunteer training)
❌ Beautification projects
❌ Fundraising & membership drives
❌ Payroll, ongoing rent, or mortgages
❌ Capital & asset purchases (e.g., computers, iPads)

All funding decisions are at the discretion of the committees and may be subject to change.

The following ARE eligible for funding:

✅Visitor-Focused Marketing (for advertising outside of 50 miles of your business)

• Print: newspaper/flyer/direct mail
• Electronic: TV/radio, video streaming
• Publications: magazines/guides/playbills
• Web/Internet/Technology: Digital/social/online marketing such as pay per click, e-mail marketing, banner ads. Also, website implementation, website design or website mobile responsiveness (website hosting is not eligible)
• Collateral: brochures/DVDs/CDs
• Radio Advertising

✅Music & Entertainment for Visitor Ambience

• Music licensing (BMI, ASCAP, SESAC) Fees.
• Modest performer fees: generally, up to $500 per performance

✅WSDOT Directional Signage Only

• WSDOT tourism directional signage fees
• Installation costs assessed by WSDOT (if under capital threshold)

 
Under no circumstances should an agency "bill themselves" as a reimbursable expense.  For instance if you may not be eligible for your own sites facility rental, regular staff labor, or other items where the organization would be the "payee."

Branding & Logo Requirements

All grant recipients must incorporate Kittitas County tourism branding and the Central Washington Outdoor logo in their advertising. Additionally, recipients must use the appropriate City tourism logo based on the event’s location:

Ellensburg: Use the myEllensburg logo
Cle Elum: Use the City of Cle Elum logo

Logo Placement & Requirements

• Websites & Social Media:The Central Washington Outdoor logo and the applicable City tourism logo or URL must appear on the contractor’s homepage with an operational link to the corresponding tourism site. The logos must be at least ½ inch in height, surrounded by adequate white space for clarity, and cannot be altered in color or appearance.

 

• Print & Online Advertising: All promotional materials—including newspapers, flyers, posters, billboards, direct mail, e-newsletters, third-party websites, and social media ads—must display the Central Washington Outdoor logo and the appropriate City tourism logo or URL with a direct hyperlink (when digital). Logos must meet size and spacing requirements.

 

• Video Advertising: Any video promotions (e.g., TV, online, electronic kiosks, motion billboards) must visibly feature the Central Washington Outdoor logo and the City tourism logo in accordance with the established guidelines.

Central Washington Outdoor Logos: https://centralwashingtonoutdoor.com/media/
myEllensburg Logos:  https://myellensburg.com/media/
City of Cle Elum Logos: City Of Cle Elum
Failure to adhere to these branding requirements may result in loss of funding eligibility.

Reason for Application Denials:

• Declined due to being of an ineligible type
• Declined due to incomplete submission of necessary documents
• Declined due to evaluation the grant request does not meet the grant criteria
• Declined due to lack of available grant funding

 

It is imperative that all applicants understand the full requirements of the Micro Grant.

If you have reached this page please contact the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce for assistance on the portions you have questions on.

Matt Anderson - Director of Business Development
matt@kittitascountychamber.com
509-925-2002

Acknowledgment and Certification

By signing below, I certify that, to the best of my knowledge, all information provided in this reimbursement request is accurate, complete, and in compliance with the guidelines set forth in the Lodging Tax Grant agreement. I understand that only expenses listed in the approved grant application and contract are eligible for reimbursement, and that all submitted documentation must meet the specified requirements.

Furthermore, I acknowledge that the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce, in its role as administrator of the Lodging Tax Grant funds, will have the final authority in determining the eligibility of receipts and expenses submitted for reimbursement. I agree to adhere to all branding, reporting, and expenditure guidelines and accept that failure to comply with these requirements may result in denial or partial approval of my reimbursement request.