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Williams County awards $100,000 in tourism grants; 15 projects recommended
Summary
Williams County's review committee recommended 15 awards from a $100,000 visitor promotion fund; the commission approved the recommendations, authorizing the chair to sign agreements. Requests totaled about $160,000 from 21 applicants.
County staff presented the annual tourism grant program to the Williams County Board of County Commissioners on April 21, 2026, explaining the program reimburses approved expenses at 80% from the visitor promotion fund (hospitality-tax revenue).
Staff reported $100,000 available for awards, 21 applications submitted and roughly $160,000 in requests. A review committee — including Commissioner Ramberg, Amy Krueger, executive director of the Wilson Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Katie Ogden, Park Director at Lewis and Clark State Park — evaluated applications and recommended 15 awards. Several awards carried contingencies, including proof of land closing or required planning and building approvals; one award for an ice-fishing tournament may be spent in 2027 because the event occurs in January.
A commissioner moved to approve the committee’s recommendations and authorize the chairman to sign the program agreements; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously by roll call. The agreements will go to county counsel for final review before execution.
Staff emphasized the program’s statutory limits: visitor promotion funds are restricted to activities that attract visitors and use travel/tourism facilities per Century Code provisions governing hospitality tax revenue.
The board thanked staff and committee members for their work and moved to the next agenda item.
