The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

The Walla Walla County Lodging Tax Advisory Com- mittee has announced the availability of funds for the purpose of supporting tour- ism promotion-related events or projects in the county. $35,000.00 will be available for grants for 2014. Applica- tions for grant funds for 2014 projects will be accepted until December 2, 2013 and forms can be obtained from the county's website (www. co.walla-walla.wa.us) or by contacting the County Commissioners' office.

The county currently has a lodging tax in place, with certain of the proceeds designated for tourism promotion purposes. The Walla Walla County Lodging Tax Adviso- ry Committee is the tourism promotional and marketing review entity responsible for making recommendations to the Walla Walla County Board of Commissioners for awarding funds for eligible projects (events, festivals, etc.) from lodging tax proceeds. Applicants will also have to compile outcome- related information for staterequired report, to include number of people staying overnight in paid accommo- dations.

An informational meeting for interested persons will be held October 17, 2013 from 5:00-6:00 p.m. in Room 214 of the Walla Walla County Public Health and Legislative Building, 314 West Main, Walla Walla.

Applications can be ob- tained from the county website (www.co.walla-walla. wa.us) or by contacting the Walla Walla County Lodg- ing Tax Advisory Commit- tee, c/o Walla Walla Coun- ty Commissioners' office, (509/524-2505) or e-mailing wwcocommissioners@ co.walla-walla.wa.us. Ques- tions about the Tourism Fund Grant Program process or concept proposals may be directed to the above office.