Government
Lacey awards nearly $1 million in 2027 lodging-tax grants; RAC gets biggest share
The Lacey City Council unanimously approved $987,956 in 2027 lodging-tax awards on Oct. 6. The Regional Athletic Complex would get most of the money, including turf replacement, while tourism groups and local events split the rest.
Lacey's City Council put nearly $1 million in lodging-tax money behind sports fields and visitor events for 2027. On Oct. 6 the council unanimously approved a $987,956 package recommended by its Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, The JOLT News reported.
How it works. Lacey collects a 4% lodging tax on hotel stays. State law limits the money to tourism marketing, events and tourism facilities. The package funds 18 of 24 applications and is projected to support more than 31,000 paid overnight stays, city staff said.
Who gets what. The Regional Athletic Complex gets the largest share: $290,000 for operations and $395,456 for synthetic turf replacement from a field reserve. Experience Olympia & Beyond gets $105,000, the Lacey Chamber Visitors Center $40,000 and FC Olympia Artesian matches $30,000.
Left out. Six requests were declined, including the Nisqually Reach Nature Center and Capital Lakefair. Deputy Mayor Malcolm Miller, who chairs the committee, said members favored a "heads and beds" approach that rewards overnight tourism in Lacey.
Funding agreements are expected in early 2027, and recipients must report attendance afterward.
Sources
Photo credit: The JOLT Staff via Zoom
