LT2026-006 PUNCH PROJECTS FINAL - Laserfiche WebLink

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Response 5: Please explain what plans exist to allow this project to become self-sustaining. Include any plans for ticket sales, event sponsors, and other cost-recovery models.* Our most significant source of revenue during 2025 has been retail sales which include food and beverages, artwork and our own line of PUNCH merchandise such as t-shirts, hats and totes. We do not charge an admission fee to enter the gallery or attend performances. Operating with a volunteer staff and a shoestring budget, we are continuing the trend of exceeding gross sales in 2025 compared to the same months in 2024. By continuing to refine our marketing and promotions strategy, we expect to continue growing our attendance, audience and supporters, allowing us to expand revenue in several ways, including, but not limited to the following: (1). In 2023 we were approved for a “Snack Bar” license which allows us to sell beer and snacks. We are currently exploring ways to expand our food and beverage options and have tested various ideas through partnerships with third-party vendors. (2). We will continue to expand and sell merchandise on-site. (3). We recently added e-commerce to our website, giving us the ability to sell art prints and PUNCH merchandise to a broader audience across the world. (4). Select events will feature talent of notoriety, allowing us to charge an admission fee. (5). We recently created a pricing structure to support rental of our space (6). We have developed an annual fundraising campaign taking place in November called “Thorpsgiving” that solicits individual giving through donations and memberships. In 2024, this event raised enough money to cover essential expenses such as rent and utilities. 2500 character limit Application Questions: Part 4 6| Additional Information Response 6.1: Provide any additional information which will assist the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee in evaluating your project and its benefit to tourism. In less than four years, the PUNCH “Fire House Project” has become home to a visual arts gallery, outdoor stage/performance area, and a year-round indoor performance space and “snack bar” with packaged snacks and beer. Exhibitions in the gallery change monthly and we have musicians and other performers on one of our two stages on nearly every Saturday. In a town with a population of approximately 200, open one day per week, we have more than tripled annual attendance from 937 in our first year to 2,983 the past 12 months. Gross retail sales for 2025 have continued to increase over previous years, and as we continue expanding our family-friendly programming with new offerings such as “movie nights,” we expect numbers to continue growing. We are a unique venue not only because of our programming, but also because of our proximity to communities that currently have limited arts and culture offerings for tourists. Knowing that at least 578 of the 2983 folks that visited us Sept. 2024 – Aug. 2025 were from out-of-county, translating to 268 overnight stays is testament not only to the success of our efforts and the support of the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, but also to the demand for cultural, creative and artistic experiences for tourists choosing travel destinations. An investment in our marketing/promotions and talent fees is not only a benefit to our organization, but to the community of Thorp, as we are the only public gathering place with regular hours in Thorp, which has always been a popular scenic byway for road trippers, motorcyclists and bicyclists. Part of our mission has always been to bridge the urban rural divide and connect communities across Washington state and the Greater Northwest. We hope to be a popular destination for visitors and out-of-towners to mingle with locals while experiencing art, music and other events. We want central Washington to be known as an arts destination and we want to contribute to the plethora of reasons to visit Kittitas County from galleries and museums, to food, adventure and more. Lodging Tax Funds enable us to bring talented artists to the county, expand our programming and most importantly, spread the word across the Northwest to get butts in seats, heads in beds and provide opportunities to experience the wealth of activities and attractions in our county. PLEASE NOTE: The application form values our volunteer hours at $53,425.60 which results in a falsely high projected profit and matching funds. 2500 character limit