The Bellingham Business Journal

Although the City of Bellingham suspended the tourism promotion grant program for 2010 because of sharp declines in lodging tax revenue, which funds the grants, limited funding is available for 2011.

The competitive grant program is designed to support projects or events that bring tourists to Bellingham. Applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 8, and are available in the Planning and Community Development department at Bellingham City Hall, or on the city website.

Tourism promotion grants awarded in 2009 totaled $696,495, and funded the Bellingham/Whatcom County Tourism Bureau, as well as 18 other local organizations that advertised and marketed their Bellingham events to attract tourists. Funded organizations included Allied Arts, Ski to Sea, Bellingham Bay Marathon, Whatcom Symphony, and Pickford Film Center.

Complete program eligibility requirements are included in the application. Again this year, special consideration will be given to events that occur during the off-season, between October and May.

For tourism grant information, call Darby Galligan at (360) 778-8389 or e-mail her at dgalligan@cob.org.