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Council awards $15,000 in fall 2025 tourism grants; Porch Fest recommended additional tracking funds
Summary
The Grants Pass City Council approved fall 2025 tourism promotion grant awards totaling $15,000 from lodging tax funds to three applicants; the Rogue Gateway Rotary Foundation (Porch Fest) was recommended for $5,000 with additional funding for data-tracking tools.
The Grants Pass City Council on Sept. 17 approved lodging-tax funded awards for the fall 2025 cycle of the tourism promotion grant program, distributing $15,000 to three applicants and leaving $20,000 of the FY26 allocation for the next cycle.
Dana Pierce, economic development division, told council the program was created by a 2023 council resolution and provides $2,500 to $5,000 reimbursement grants to businesses and nonprofits with lodging-tax-eligible expenses that attract visitors from more than 50 miles away or lead to overnight stays. "This resolution will award lodging tax funds to three grant applicants for tourism promotion," Dana said, explaining the program rules and the subcommittee recommendations.
The grant review subcommittee recommended full funding for Latitude Wine Tours ($5,000) to promote a seasonal "Sip and Stay" digital marketing campaign; full funding for Grants Pass Downs dba HRA LLC ($5,000) for marketing the horseracing event; and an increased recommendation for Rogue Gateway Rotary Foundation to $5,000 (the foundation requested $3,500) to support Porch Fest and to add data-collection and tracking tools. Two applicantsCafe Nada Bar and Cynthia's Home Sweet Homewere not recommended because review determined proposed expenses were not lodging-tax eligible or the marketing strategy needed refinement.
Councilors asked how the city determines whether an event draws visitors from 50 miles away. Dana and a staff member explained the statute requires lodging tax-funded promotion to target audiences residing 50 or more miles away or that lead to overnight stays; the subcommittee also prioritized applications that demonstrated regional draw and provided proposals for measurable outreach. Brad, a staff member, reminded council that the Oregon Revised Statutes prescribe tourism-promotion eligibility and that the key test is whether money is spent on promotion mechanisms that reach audiences beyond 50 miles.
Concerns about duplication surfaced during deliberations. Councilor Indra questioned whether paying for tracking tools duplicates work Visit Grants Pass already performs; Dana said Visit Grants Pass provides technical assistance to applicants but that the grant program is intended to help smaller or volunteer-run events market beyond their usual local reach.
Councilor Joel moved to adopt the recommended awards to Latitude Wine Tours (HRA LLC), Grants Pass Downs dba HRA LLC, and Rogue Gateway Rotary Foundation; Councilor Rick seconded. Roll-call votes were recorded in favor by Rick, Kathleen, Rob, Victoria, Eric, Joel and Indra. The motion passed unanimously.
Award summary (fall 2025 cycle): Latitude Wine Tours $5,000; Grants Pass Downs (dba HRA LLC) $5,000; Rogue Gateway Rotary Foundation (Porch Fest) $5,000 (subcommittee increased recommended amount to add tracking tools). Total requested: $20,700. Total recommended/awarded: $15,000. Funds are distributed as reimbursements upon submission of eligible receipts. The FY26 tourism promotion budget includes $35,000; $20,000 will remain for the next cycle.
Votes at a glance: Resolution awarding fall 2025 tourism promotion grant funds Passed 7-0 by roll call.
