Council awards $15,000 in lodging-tax grants for fall tourism projects

The Grants Pass City Council voted Sept. 17 to award $15,000 in lodging-tax tourism promotion grants for the fall 2025 cycle after a presentation by Dana Pierce of the City’s economic development division.

Dana told council the program was established in 2023 and in FY26 $35,000 in lodging-tax funds are budgeted for two grant cycles. For the fall 2025 cycle the grant-review subcommittee scored five applications and recommended awarding $5,000 each to Latitude Wine Tours and Rogue Gateway Rotary Foundation (Porchfest) and $5,000 to Grants Pass Downs (doing business as HRA LLC). The subcommittee recommended not funding Cafe Not a Bar and Cynthia’s Home Sweet Home this cycle.

Dana said the program pays reimbursement grants for lodging-tax-eligible expenses and that the statute requires tourism promotion funds be used to attract people from more than 50 miles away or to lead to overnight stays. "The statute specifically says that tourism promotion equals people coming from 50 miles away or more or leading to an overnight stay," Dana said. City counsel Brad added that the Oregon Revised Statutes guide how lodging-tax promotion funds may be spent.

Councilors asked how the committee decided to increase funding for Porchfest to include tracking tools; Dana said the additional funds were intended to help volunteer-run events implement data collection so the city can measure out-of-town draw. Some councilors, including Indra, questioned whether that duplicated services provided by Visit Grants Pass, which already does regional marketing for the city. Dana said Visit Grants Pass provides technical assistance but that smaller or newer events may not have previously marketed beyond the Rogue Valley.

Councilor Joel moved to adopt the resolution awarding the recommended grants and identifying eligible projects under the tourism tax; Rick seconded the motion. The council voted unanimously to approve the resolution.