Lebanon to fund downtown events and visitor services: $30,000 to Downtown Association, $42,000+43,000 to Chamber
Loading...
Summary
Budgeted motel tax contributions include $30,000 for the Lebanon Downtown Association to pay an executive director and run events, and $42,000 for the Chamber's visitor center plus $43,000 for a chamber grant program.
The Lebanon Budget Committee heard presentations from downtown and chamber representatives and included motel tax contributions in the proposed FY 2025'26 budget to support local tourism and downtown programming.
Robert Rogers, who identified himself as treasurer for the Lebanon Downtown Association, told the committee the association plans to use $30,000 in city motel-tax (transient lodging tax) support to pay its executive director and underwrite events intended to attract visitors and customers downtown. Rogers presented a projected $77,000 in LDA revenue for the coming year, with $65,000 in forecasted expenses and roughly $11,000 in surplus for reinvestment.
Rebecca Grizzle presented the Lebanon Chamber of Commerce budget request. The proposed city contribution includes $42,000 to operate the visitor center that serves walk-in information needs and $43,000 allocated to a chamber-run grant program that the chamber's volunteer tourism committee reviews. The tourism committee told the budget committee it prioritizes grants that "put heads in beds," giving preference to multi-day events and sporting tournaments that generate overnight lodging tax revenue.
Chamber representatives said the grant program's typical ceiling for one-day events was recently raised from $500 to $1,000, and the committee looks for events that will generate hotel stays and broader visitor spending. The chamber also described a modest capital use of motel-tax funds previously approved by the tourism committee: placing bollards in front of the chamber building to prevent vehicle intrusions; chamber staff said the bollards have helped avoid further business interruptions.
Neither organization's presentation produced a separate vote in the budget committee meeting; the allocations were included in the overall FY 2025'26 budget the committee approved and forwarded to the City Council.
Both presenters told the committee they are trying to expand non-city revenue sources: the downtown association described a membership drive and event sponsorships, plus potential grant administration fees tied to anticipated Oregon Main Street grants; the chamber described grant administration and event-based strategies to broaden funding.
