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Sweetwater County tourism director reports $1.5M in lodging-tax collections and $77M in advertising-influenced visitor spending
Summary
Janessa Meredith reported lodging-tax collections just over $1.5 million in the last fiscal year, said the lodging-tax will be on the November 2026 ballot, and that advertising influenced roughly $77 million in visitor spending; the board discussed event grants, visitor programs and an upcoming history app.
Janessa Meredith, CEO of the Sweetwater County Bridal & Tourism board, presented the board’s 2025 annual report on Feb. 17, describing how lodging‑tax revenue was spent to attract visitors and support local events.
Meredith said local-option lodging-tax collections have grown to a little over $1.5 million in the last fiscal year and that the tax will appear on the county general-election ballot in November. She outlined the board’s spending priorities—79% on out‑of‑county marketing, plus event grants and local block grants—and highlighted that the board funds about 30 events per year. "This is a tax that local residents don't pay. This is paid by visitors staying in hotels and campgrounds," Meredith said.
Meredith told commissioners that the board’s advertising influenced about $77 million in visitor spending and generated more than 59,000 visits to the county; she cited a return-on-investment figure, saying, "For every $1 that we spend, on advertising, there's an ROI of $798 to the local economy." The board also funds visitor programming including Flaming Gorge bus tours and a new history app tied to the American 250 celebration.
Commissioners thanked Meredith and discussed how targeted event recruitment supports lodging-tax returns and local businesses.
