To kick off the new year, San Juan County is pleased to announce funding from the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee to local organizations, nonprofits, County departments and exciting new events. This year, core funding was awarded to 11 entities, and additional funds were allocated to 25 special projects throughout the islands totaling approximately $1.9 million.

Where do Lodging Tax funds come from?

Funded by a portion of the revenue collected under the State Lodging Tax excise statutes, this program is made possible in part by the many local hotels, bed and breakfasts, and other lodgings that collect taxes from visitors. Collected funds support activities, programs and capital projects related to tourism events, infrastructure and services.

Where does the money go?

Lodging Tax dollars provide core funding to chambers, museums and theaters on San Juan, Orcas and Lopez islands, the County Fair and the Visitors Bureau. During the Dec. 23 Council meeting, the Council approved a one-year contract with the San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau with a flat fee of $535K, which represented an 8% decrease in funding to that entity from previous years.

The Council also awarded Lodging Tax funds for special projects to the following entities – some of which received awards for multiple projects:

• Alchemy Art Center to grow Alchemy’s off-island attendance and bring more arts-centered visitors to the islands year-round.

• The Lopez Original Theater to host playwrighting workshops, the Annual Original Works Festival and more.

• Lopez Island’s First Saturday Art Walk to grow the scope and impact of the event with possible public art installations and musical performances, a dedicated youth space and an Artist in Residence program.

• Mentors to Mentors Environmental Education program to provide opportunities for underrepresented, high-poverty youth to access an experiential, recreational and service-learning environment.

• The Orcas Center to support the 2025 Summer Concert Series as well as technology updates for the theater.

• The Orcas Chamber for website updates that prioritize an easier user experience.

• The Orcas Island Farmers Market to improve the entertainment offerings for the summer markets and add offerings to the fall Saturday markets.

• The Orcas Island and Friday Harbor film festivals for marketing efforts and operational costs.

• The Orcas Island Historical Society to support the Orcas Island Cider & Mead Festival which celebrates the heritage craft of cider and mead making.

• The San Juan Community Theater for building improvements such as paint, siding and roof repairs.

• The San Juan Historical Museum to add an exhibit detailing the significance of fish canneries within the Museum of History and Industry.

• The Ag Guild and Conservation District to create economic opportunities for local ag producers, retailers and organizations by promoting agritourism events year-round in the San Juan Islands.

• Department of Environmental Stewardship to update content in the Stewardship Guide and print and distribute guide booklets to accommodations, businesses, vacation rentals and more.

• The Parks, Recreation, and Fair Department to purchase replacement equipment such as mowers, tents for the fairgrounds, pipe and drape for exhibit displays and more.

• The Public Works Department to construct a new sidewalk along Pear Point Road to connect the Argyle Avenue sidewalk to Jacksons Beach Road and provide safer pedestrian access to the beach, boat launch and gathering spaces.

• The SJI Agricultural Summit to support the regional marketing campaign, program printing and venue expenses for the 2025 summit.

• The San Juan Island Museum of Art to design and deliver a focused print and digital campaign to promote its 20th anniversary and San Juan Island as a fall and winter destination for arts and culture enthusiasts.

• The Conservation District to host trail maintenance/community outreach events on Lopez, Orcas and San Juan islands during the Youth Conservation Corp. 2025 summer season.

• The San Juan Islands Makers Guild and Heritage Ranch to support advertising and managing programs that host fairs, festivals and workshops including the Salish Sea Folk Arts Festival, Earth Day Orcas and all islands’ Winter Artisan markets.

These activities and more are expected to increase economic activity in San Juan County in 2025 and beyond through the overnight lodging of tourists, through tourism-related expenditures and construction of tourism-related facilities.

For information about the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, visit the County’s website at https://www.sanjuancountywa.gov/2087/Lodging-Tax-Annual-Grant-Program.

For questions, contact Aiden Haines at the office of the County Council at 360-370-7473 or aidenh@sanjuancountywa.gov.