Tumwater awards lodging tax funds to 14 organizations 

Tumwater City Council approved the distribution of this year’s lodging tax funds. As part of its consent agenda on Tuesday, October 1, the council adopted the recommendation of the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee to award $238,050 to 14 organizations. 

The top beneficiary is the Visitor and Convention Bureau of Thurston County, which would receive $43,825. The organization will use the funds to support its marketing and drive visitation and overnight stays within the city. 

Olympic Flight Museum was awarded $44,333 to help promote and cover the costs of the 2025 Olympic Air Show. Another significant beneficiary was the Tumwater Downtown Association, which was allocated $28,750 for the annual July 4 Artesian Festival. 

The City of Tumwater benefits from the funds to support the Tumwater Artesian Brewfest. 

A list of the other beneficiaries includes: 

• Capital Lakefair, 

• Olympia Harbor Days,  

• Olympia Symphony,  

• Olympia Tumwater Foundation,  

• Team Tomorrow LLC, 

• Tumwater Area Chamber of Commerce,  

• Tumwater Historical Association,  

• Tumwater Soccer Club, 

• Washington Center for the Performing Arts, and  

• Washington State Senior Games. 

The lodging tax is a 4% tax on hotel and motel stays. Half of the taxes fund tourism-related historic and cultural programs, while the other half funds tourism-generating events and marketing. 

The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee comprises Councilmember Eileen Swarthout and representatives from La Quinta Inn & Suite, Olympic Flight Museum, and Tumwater Area Chamber of Commerce.

The members, which met on September 23 to discuss their recommendations, abstained from suggesting dollar amounts for groups they were affiliated with.