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Response 1.1: Please provide a description of your project/event.* <br />Response 1.2: Please provide us link to a brief video summary of you organization's event/project.* <br />PUNCH Projects works to promote visual dialogue between urban and rural art communities and seeks to support the cultural <br />vibrancy of rural art scenes by spurring creative awareness, cross-cultural engagement and economic vitality. In fall of 2021, we <br />signed a lease on the old fire house in the small rural-community of Thorp and began what we call the “Fire House Project” – <br />creating a space that now, after nearly 4 years, houses a gallery, outdoor stage/performance area, and an indoor performance <br />area and snack bar with packaged snacks and beer. Exhibitions in the gallery change monthly and we have musicians and other <br />performers year-round on either the indoor or outdoor stages. We are currently open 12-5pm on Saturdays with volunteer staff, <br />with extended hours on last Saturdays to 8pm. 2024 and 2025 were periods of significant growth in our arts and culture <br />programming, with visual art, interactive experiences, and performative events happening every Saturday. The Punch Firehouse <br />Project is unique in that it is the only public venue in Thorp and is an important bridge between upper and lower counties <br />providing cultural experiences to tourists and locals alike. The past year continues to maintain high attendance numbers. In a <br />town with a population of approximately 200, open one day per week, we had 2983 visitors Sept. 2024 – Aug. 2025. This is more <br />than 3x as many visitors from same months during our first year, and nearly identical (with a slight increase!) to the same <br />months last year which shows sustainable interest in our programming. We estimate 19.3% of those to be out-of-county – an <br />increase from the previous year ’s 14.4%. Gross retail sales for 2025 have increased 58.83% comparing again Sept. 2024 – Aug. <br />2025 with the same months of the previous year. This is testament to the success of our efforts and the support of the LTAC. As <br />we continue to work toward expanding our hours, programming and retail offerings in 2026, we continue to invest in ways to <br />reach a broader audience and a sustainable path forward. Many visitors are still discovering us for the first time and have been a <br />mix of folks who have seen our out-of-county advertising, some who have discovered us as they pass our Thorp location <br />enroute to raft or fly fish, others who have bicycled the scenic byway from Roslyn to Ellensburg, and of course regulars from <br />Ellensburg and upper county. <br />2500 character limit <br />Note: You MUST be present at the Q&A meeting to qualify for funding. <br />https://youtu.be/i2arphfqYyw <br />Response 1.3: List of Intended Use of Funds * <br />Note: This language will be related in the contract if awarded. <br />The CLTAC cannot approve funds not listed under RCW 67.28.1816. However, the committee has the right to be more restrictive. <br />Work with a professional agency to advise and support our marketing and promotion strategy <br />Develop written content for online media, radio spots, & press releases for newspaper/magazines <br />Create photography, video, graphics & visuals to be used in social media, digital & print ads <br />Create content for website and improve SEO and search results <br />Ongoing website design/maintenance and social media management <br />Fees for boosted social media ads, online advertising, radio spots & print advertising beyond Kittco <br />Fees for boosted social media ads, radio spots & print advertising within Kittco week of event <br />Talent fees for artists, musicians, performers, guest speakers and/or workshop presenters <br />Travel expenses for out-of-town artists, musicians, performers, presenters <br />Shipping fees for artwork and event-related equipment <br />Equipment rental as-needed for performances and workshops <br />Licensing fees to present movies and films <br />2| Supporting Kittitas County as a tourism destination. <br />1. Away from their place of residence or business and staying overnight in paid accommodations; <br />2. To a place fifty miles or more away from their place of residence or business for the day or staying overnight; <br />3. Or from another country or state outside of their place of residence or business. <br />You must provide the evidence utilized in determining your projections.