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Response 8.2a: If not, please explain why not.* <br />Response 8.3: What changes will be made if funding for your request is not available or recommended?* <br />Matching Funds Percentage <br />The Ellensburg Rodeo's focus on Consolidated Lodging Tax funding reflects both strategic alignment and practical <br />considerations that make this the most appropriate and effective funding partnership for our tourism marketing initiatives. <br />Consolidated Lodging Tax funding is specifically designed to promote tourism and increase lodging tax revenue—precisely <br />matching our event's primary economic impact. Unlike general arts, sports, or community grants that may have broader or <br />different objectives, Consolidated Lodging Tax funding directly supports our core mission of attracting overnight visitors to Kittitas <br />County. This alignment ensures our marketing investments produce measurable results that benefit the entire hospitality sector. <br />The lodging tax structure creates a direct feedback loop where successful tourism attraction generates increased revenue for <br />the fund. Our proven track record of filling hotels, campgrounds, and vacation rentals during Labor Day weekend demonstrates <br />that Consolidated Lodging Tax investments yield tangible returns through increased lodging tax collections—making this a <br />sustainable, mutually beneficial partnership rather than traditional grant dependency. <br />Many state and federal tourism grants prioritize broader regional or statewide impact, while Consolidated Lodging Tax funding <br />specifically targets Kittitas County tourism development. Our event's concentrated economic benefit within county boundaries <br />makes us an ideal candidate for local lodging tax investment but potentially less competitive for grants seeking wider geographic <br />distribution. <br />Consolidated Lodging Tax funding supports tourism marketing and promotion activities—our primary need for external support. <br />Other funding sources often target facility improvements, equipment purchases, or capital infrastructure costs. <br />The community partnership of the Consolidated Lodging Tax process involves local hospitality stakeholders who understand our <br />event's direct impact on their businesses. This creates a collaborative relationship where funding decisions are made by those <br />who benefit most directly from increased tourism—ensuring continued support for initiatives that truly drive overnight visitation. <br />2500 character limit <br />If Consolidated Lodging Tax funding is not recommended or available, the Ellensburg Rodeo would need to implement <br />significant modifications to our 2026 marketing strategy, potentially impacting both our tourism reach and economic benefit to <br />Kittitas County. <br />Reduced Marketing Reach: Without grant support, our advertising budget would be substantially reduced, forcing us to scale <br />back digital campaigns, eliminate out-of-state media buys, and reduce our presence on streaming platforms and social media. <br />This would likely result in decreased awareness in key growth markets like Wyoming, Colorado, Nevada, and the Dakotas— <br />regions that showed strong response to our 2024 Consolidated Lodging Tax-funded outreach. <br />Limited Promotional Partnerships: We would need to reduce collaborative marketing efforts and Cross-promotional campaigns <br />that highlight county-wide lodging, dining, and recreation opportunities. Curtailing these promotions could potentially reduce the <br />broader tourism impact beyond the Rodeo grounds. <br />Shortened Marketing Timeline: Marketing campaigns would launch closer to the event date rather than the early-season <br />promotion that builds anticipation and drives advance ticket sales. This compressed timeline typically results in more local and <br />regional attendance rather than the destination visitors who generate overnight stays and extended economic impact. <br />Reduced County-Wide Promotion: Without dedicated funding for tourism marketing, our ability to promote Kittitas County as a <br />complete destination experience would be limited. Messaging would focus more narrowly on the Rodeo itself rather than <br />encouraging visitors to explore lodging, dining, and recreation throughout the valley. <br />Self-Funding Reallocation: We would need to redirect funds from facility improvements, competitor purses, or entertainment <br />programming to cover essential marketing costs, potentially affecting the overall quality and competitiveness of the event in <br />future years. <br />Despite these challenges, the Ellensburg Rodeo would continue operating and would work to maximize impact within available <br />resources, though the tourism benefits to Kittitas County would likely be diminished compared to grant-supported years. <br />2500 character limit. <br />1054.46 <br />This field will auto fill with the correct percentage based on your input to budget section below.