Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Tourism Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Cowlitz County reviews tourism and Expo Center budgets, advances regional marketing plan
Summary
County staff reported 2025 tourism revenues below budget but bolstered by a $914,000 reserve transfer, outlined annual and biennial tourism grants, and previewed a new regional marketing 'alliance' and consultant-led branding work to broaden attractions beyond Mount St. Helens.
County officials on Monday reviewed 2025 results and plans for the county's tourism and Expo Center funds, reporting that tax revenues fell short of expectations but that a one-time transfer left the tourism fund with roughly $1.4 million in cash.
A presenter noted the 15801 tourism fund collected just under $500,000 of the $590,000 tax revenue budget for 2025, and that a closed cumulative reserve fund contributed about $914,000 in other financing sources. The department has set aside $50,000 annually for a small marketing grant and a separate biennial large grant for structural tourism projects, staff said.
The report also covered the Expo Center (fund 4101), whose revenue mix includes state grants, fair receipts and rodeo admission fees. Staff said expenses across personnel, supplies and services were below budget and that ongoing capital work includes engineering for an RV park; the Expo Center cash balance was reported at about $1.15 million. The county's conference center (fund 4102) showed merchandise sales and a PFD payment offsetting weaker revenues and held about $434,000 in cash.
Separately, staff described efforts to coordinate regional tourism marketing. The county has convened city and tourism leaders and hired a consultant to analyze current efforts and propose branding. The consultant is providing logo and messaging options; officials said a public rollout and community presentation are likely in April after an initial March schedule slipped. The initiative aims to move beyond single-attraction promotion of Mount St. Helens and attract visitors to stay overnight across jurisdictions.
Commissioners asked about transfers from the general fund and the Silver Lake gift shop, which made a larger-than-normal transfer ($100,000 versus a typical $50,000) this year; staff clarified that Washington State Parks operates the visitor center while the county runs the on-site gift shop and volunteer information counter.
Next steps: staff will present branding options and the marketing rollout to the board and to partner groups in coming weeks.
