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Washington County approves TRT sponsorships and marketing support for sports and events
Summary
The commission approved several Tourism Transient Room Tax (TRT) expenditures including a $100,000-per-year sponsorship for the Professional Pickleball Association (2026–27) and multiple event marketing agreements (mountain bike, running series, triathlon, international soccer tournament) intended to increase visitor volume and economic activity.
The Washington County Commission approved multiple transient room tax (TRT) expenditures and event-marketing agreements recommended by the Tourism Tax Advisory Board to promote visitor-driven events and destination development.
Chad (speaker 16) presented the TAB recommendations and explained that TRT funds come from lodging taxes collected by the State Tax Commission and redistributed for destination promotion. The commission approved a $100,000-per-year sponsorship for the Professional Pickleball Association for 2026 and 2027 to expand the event from a four-day open to a seven-day professional event. Chad said the funding ‘‘enhances the visitor experience while also creating lasting benefits for both the resident and visitors.’'
Other approvals included a $5,000 marketing sponsorship for the True Grit mountain-bike race, funding for the Underground Runner Series' two events (combined allocation described as two smaller grants), support for the Sand Hollow Triathlon as part of a multi-year strategy to grow the event toward continental or world‑cup scale, and support for the 7 Elite International Soccer Tournament (organizers estimate significant international exposure and local economic impact). Commissioners moved and passed each of the TAB-recommended expenditures.
