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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLT2026-006 PUNCH PROJECTS FINAL LT-2026-006 PUNCH PROJECTS _______2026 County Lodging Tax Funding Agreement Page 1 2026 LODGING TAX SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN KITTITAS COUNTY AND PUNCH PROJECTS This Contract, effective January 1, 2026, is made and entered into by and between KITTITAS COUNTY acting as agent for and on behalf of the CONSOLIDATED LODGING TAX COMMITTEE (“County”), and PUNCH PROJECTS (“Contractor”) for PUNCH PROJECTS FIRE HOUSE PROJECT (“Event”). WHEREAS, the purpose of this Agreement is to provide for activities and expenditures designed to increase tourism, and; WHEREAS, the constituent members of the Consolidated Lodging Tax Committee are Kittitas County, City of Roslyn, City of Cle Elum, and the City of Ellensburg (the cities are individually and collectively referred to in this Agreement as “City”); NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the terms and conditions contained herein, or attached and incorporated and made a part hereof, the County and the Contractor mutually agree as follows: Section 1. Scope of Work. a. Contractor shall provide the services and resources described in its Application for Lodging Tax Funds submitted to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, attached as Exhibit “A” which is incorporated herein by reference. b. To perform the services described in Paragraph (a) above and in accordance with this Agreement, Contractor shall furnish necessary equipment, property, personnel, labor, supervision, and all necessary technical, professional, and other services. All such services, property, and other items furnished or required to be furnished, together with all other obligations performed or required to be performed by Contractor under this Agreement, are collectively referred to herein as the “Services.” c. Contractor shall commence, perform and complete such Services in accordance with Exhibit “B” which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference. Section 2. Compensation. a. Pursuant to the grant award for year 2026, the maximum compensation allowed under this Agreement is $20,000. b. Compensation under this Agreement shall be provided on a reimbursement basis upon submission of a proper reimbursement request accompanied by the required supporting documentation for the applicable expenses (including, without limitation, receipts and invoices). c. Reimbursable expenses must be incurred between January 1, 2026, and December 31, 2026. All reimbursement requests must be submitted no later than January 11, 2027, at 5:00 p.m. LT-2026-006 PUNCH PROJECTS _______2026 County Lodging Tax Funding Agreement Page 2 d. Requests for reimbursements must be submitted to: Kittitas County Auditor Attn: Auditor’s Accounting 205 West 5th Ave – Suite 105 Ellensburg, WA 98926 auditorsaccounting@co.kittitas.wa.us e. Reporting requirements of your events will be required on prescribed forms from the County Auditor. f. Contractor is eligible to claim reimbursement only for the following items and in the amounts specified below: • Work with a professional agency to advise and support our marketing strategy • Develop written content for online media, radio spots & press releases for newspaper/magazines • Create photography, video. graphics & visuals to be used in social media, digital & print ads • Create content for website and improve SEO and search results • Ongoing website design/maintenance and social media management • Fees for boosted social media ads, online advertising, radio spots & print advertising beyond Kittco • Fees for boosted social media ads, radio spots & print advertising within Kittco week of event • Talent fees for artists, musicians, performers, guest speakers and/or workshop presenters • Travel expenses for out-of-town artists, musicians, performers, presenters • Shipping fees for artwork and event-related equipment • Equipment rental as-needed for performances and workshops • Licensing fees to present movies and films g. For event-related expenses, Contractors shall submit all reimbursement requests, together with the required supporting documentation, in no more than two (2) reimbursement requests submitted at the conclusion of the applicable event. Contractor is not eligible to claim reimbursement for any items not listed in Section 2 (f) h. Contractors must complete the Lodging Tax Reimbursement online training course provided by the County Auditor’s office prior to submitting a reimbursement request. Requests for reimbursement will not be accepted or approved by the County Auditor prior to the training being completed. The training may be found online at the Kittitas County Auditor’s website at the following address: http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us/auditor/default.aspx LT-2026-006 PUNCH PROJECTS _______2026 County Lodging Tax Funding Agreement Page 3 i. Lodging Tax funds provided under this Agreement shall be used solely for the activities, operations, and expenditures expressly authorized herein. If the Contractor: (i) fails to expend the Lodging Tax funds in accordance with this Agreement, and/or (ii) uses such funds for any unauthorized purpose, then any funds received and not properly expended or accounted for shall, without prejudice to any other available remedy or penalty, be repaid to the County together with interest at the rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum Section 3. General Terms and Conditions. a. Assignment and Subcontracting: This Agreement may not be assigned or subcontracted in whole or in part without the express prior written approval of the County. Any such assignment or subcontracting without the County’s prior written consent shall be voidable at the County’s option. b. Independent Contractor: Contractor’s services shall be furnished by Contractor as an independent contractor, and nothing stated herein shall be construed to create a relationship of employer-employee or a guarantee of future employment. Contractor acknowledges that its entire compensation under this Agreement is specified in Attachment "B", and that Contractor is not entitled to any County benefits, including but not limited to: vacation pay, holiday pay, sick leave pay, medical, dental, or other insurance benefits, or any other rights or privileges afforded to County employees. c. Nondiscrimination: Contractor will not discriminate against any recipient of any services or benefits provided for under this Agreement on the grounds of age, race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. d. Right to Review; Maintenance of Records: This Agreement is subject to review by any Federal or State auditor. The County or their designee shall have the right to review and monitor the financial and service components of the work performed under this Agreement by whatever means are deemed expedient by the County. Such review may occur with or without notice, and may include, without limitation, on-site inspection, inspection of all records or other materials which the County deems pertinent, and any and all communications with or evaluation by service recipients under this Agreement. Contractor shall preserve and maintain all records relating to this Agreement for six (6) years after termination or expiration of the Agreement, and upon request shall make them available for review by any Federal or State auditor, the County and/or any persons authorized by the County. For such duration after the County makes final payment of compensation due hereunder, Contractor shall provide the County access to (and the County shall have the right to examine, audit and copy, with or without notice) all of Contractor’s books, documents, papers and records related to the Services or this Agreement. LT-2026-006 PUNCH PROJECTS _______2026 County Lodging Tax Funding Agreement Page 4 e. Taxes: Contractor understands and acknowledges that neither the County will not withhold Federal or State income taxes from payments made to Contractor. Where required by State or Federal law, Contractor authorizes the County to make withholding for any taxes other than income taxes (e.g., Medicare). All compensation received by Contractor will be reported to the Internal Revenue Service at the end of the calendar year in accordance with applicable IRS regulations. It is the responsibility of Contractor to make its necessary estimated tax payments throughout the year, if any, and Contractor is solely liable for any tax obligation arising from Contractor’s performance of this Agreement. The County will pay sales and use taxes imposed on goods or services acquired hereunder as required by law. Contractor must pay all other taxes, including but not limited to: business and occupation tax; or taxes based on (1) Contractor’s gross or net income, or (2) personal property to which the County does not hold title. The County is exempt from federal excise tax. f. Non-Transferability of Grant Assets: The Grantee is prohibited from pledging, mortgaging, assigning, or otherwise encumbering any grant funds or property acquired or improved with such funds. Any such attempt shall be considered null and void and unenforceable against Kittitas County. Section 4. Indemnification. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Contractor agrees to indemnify, defend and hold the County and their departments, elected and appointed officials, employees, agents and volunteers, harmless from and against any and all claims, damages, losses and expenses, including but not limited to court costs, attorney's fees and alternative dispute resolution costs, for any personal or bodily injury, sickness, disease or death, for any damage to or destruction of any property (including the loss of use resulting therefrom), and for any other claims, damages, losses, and expenses sustained by the County, which (1) are caused in whole or in part by any act or omission, negligent or otherwise, of Contractor, its employees, agents or volunteers, or Contractor’s subcontractors, their employees, agents or volunteers; or (2) are directly or indirectly arising out of, resulting from, or otherwise connected with the performance of this Agreement; or (3) are based upon Contractor’s or its subcontractors’ use of, presence upon or proximity to the property of the County. This indemnification obligation of Contractor shall not apply in the limited circumstance where the claim, damage, loss or expense is caused by the sole negligence of the County. This indemnification obligation of Contractor shall not be limited in any way by the Washington State Industrial Insurance Act, RCW Title 51, or by application of any other workmen's compensation act, disability benefit act or other employee benefit act, and Contractor hereby expressly waives any immunity afforded by such acts. The foregoing indemnification obligations of Contractor are a material inducement to the County to enter into this Agreement, are reflected in Contractor’s compensation, and have been mutually negotiated by the parties. The County reserves the right, but not the obligation, to participate in the defense of any claim for damages, losses or expenses, and such participation shall not constitute a waiver of Contractor’s indemnity obligations contained in any section of this Agreement. LT-2026-006 PUNCH PROJECTS _______2026 County Lodging Tax Funding Agreement Page 5 In the event Contractor enters into subcontracts to the extent allowed under this Agreement, each such subcontractor shall indemnify the County on a basis equal to or exceeding Contractor’s indemnity obligations to the County. Section 5. Termination. a. This Agreement may be terminated at any time by mutual written agreement of the parties. b. The County, by giving written notice, may terminate this Agreement at any time without cause and without further obligation to Contractor except for payment due for deliverables provided and/or services performed prior to the effective date of termination. An equitable adjustment in the contracted price for partially completed tasks will be made by the County, but such adjustment shall not include compensation for loss of anticipated profit on uncompleted work. c. If Contractor defaults by failing to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement, or becomes insolvent, is declared bankrupt or commits any act of bankruptcy or insolvency, or makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, the County may, by written notice to Contractor, terminate the Agreement, and at the County's option, obtain performance of the work elsewhere. If the Agreement is terminated under this paragraph, Contractor shall not be entitled to receive any further payments under this Agreement until all of its obligations hereunder have been fully performed, and any extra cost or damage to the County shall be deducted from any money due or coming due to Contractor. Furthermore, in the event of termination under this paragraph, Contractor shall bear the costs of any extra expenses incurred by the County in completing the work, and all damages sustained, or which may be sustained, by the County. d. If the termination results from acts or omissions of Contractor, including but not limited to misappropriation of funds provided hereunder, nonperformance of required services, and/or fiscal mismanagement, Contractor shall return to the County immediately any funds, misappropriated or unexpended, which have been paid to the Contractor by the County, together with applicable interest calculated at the rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum. e. Termination of this Agreement by any means provided herein shall not excuse any party’s performance of its obligations hereunder through the effective date of termination, except that the County shall not be obligated to pay for services that have not been performed or deliverables that have not been provided. Section 6. Miscellaneous. a. Cities as a Party. The other constituent members of the Consolidated Lodging Tax Committee (Cities of Roslyn, Cle Elum, and Ellensburg) are not direct parties to this Agreement but are intended third-party beneficiaries of this Agreement and to the extent set forth herein certain of its provisions are for the benefit of these Cities and are enforceable by these Cities in their own names (collectively and/or individually) and in their capacities as Washington municipal corporation(s). LT-2026-006 PUNCH PROJECTS _______2026 County Lodging Tax Funding Agreement Page 6 b. Contractor Commitments, Warranties, and Representations: Contractor represents and warrants as follows: b.1. Contractor represents that it has been duly authorized by the County to enter into this Agreement and to perform the obligations set forth herein. Contractor warrants that it possesses all necessary legal authority to enter into and perform this Agreement. b.2. Contractor has the authority to execute this Agreement, to make the representations and warranties set forth herein, and to perform its obligations hereunder. b.3. This Agreement has been validly executed by an authorized representative of Contractor and constitutes a valid and legally binding and enforceable obligation of Contractor. b.4. Contractor holds, or will obtain prior to commencing work under this Agreement, such licenses, permits and other authorizations from federal, state and local governmental authorities, or from any applicable industrial or professional certification or licensing bodies, as are necessary for the lawful performance of its obligations under this Agreement, and will maintain such throughout the term of this Agreement. b.5. Contractor is not in violation of any applicable law, ordinance or regulation the consequence of which will or may materially affect Contractor's ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement. Contractor is not subject to any order or judgment of any court, tribunal or governmental agency which materially and adversely affects its operations or assets in the State of Washington, or its ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement. b.6. Contractor is not presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible or voluntarily excluded from covered transactions by any Federal or State department or agency. b.7. None of the representations or warranties in this Agreement, and none of the documents, statements, certificates or schedules furnished by Contractor in connection with the performance of the obligations contemplated under this Agreement, contains or will contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omits or will omit a material fact necessary to make the statements of fact contained therein not misleading. c. Waiver: The waiver of any default or breach of this Agreement, or the failure of a party to enforce any provision hereof or to exercise any right or privilege hereunder, shall not be deemed to waive any prior or subsequent default or breach, the enforcement of any provision hereof, or the exercise of any right or privilege hereunder, unless otherwise stated in a writing, signed by the parties hereto. LT-2026-006 PUNCH PROJECTS _______2026 County Lodging Tax Funding Agreement Page 7 d. Ownership of Items Produced: All writings, programs, data, reports, films, recordings, or other materials prepared by Contractor and/or its consultants or subcontractors, in connection with the performance of this Agreement, shall be the sole and absolute property of the County. The County will have all rights of ownership therein, including but not limited to the right to use, copyright, trademark, and/or patent, and the ability to transfer any or all ownership rights. e. Complete Agreement: This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes any and all other agreements, understandings, negotiations and discussions, oral or written, express or implied, regarding the work to be performed hereunder. The parties agree that no other representations, inducements, promises, agreements, or warranties relating to this Agreement, oral or otherwise, have been made between the parties. Except as provided elsewhere in this Agreement, no modification or waiver of this Agreement shall be valid or binding unless in writing and signed by the parties. f. Notice: Notice for any purpose under this Agreement, except service of process, shall be given by the Contractor to the Kittitas County Commissioners and the Kittitas County Auditor, 205 W 5th Ave. Ellensburg, WA 98926. For all purposes under this Agreement, any notice by the County to the Contractor shall be given to the Contractor’s address provided on the signature page. Notice may be given by delivery or by depositing in the U.S. Mail, first class, postage prepaid, certified mail, return receipt requested. g. Headings: The headings of sections and paragraphs of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not intended to restrict, affect, or be of any weight in the interpretation or construction of the provisions of such sections or paragraphs. h. Severability: If any term or condition of this Agreement or the application thereof to any person(s) or circumstances is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other terms, conditions or applications which can be given effect without the invalid term, condition or application. To this end, the terms and conditions of this Agreement are declared to be severable.. i. Venue and Choice of Laws: In the event that any litigation should arise concerning this Agreement, the venue for such action shall be in the Superior Court of the State of Washington in and for the County of Kittitas. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Washington. j. Force Majeure; Termination without Liability. The performance of this Agreement is subject to termination without liability by either party upon the occurrence, or upon the prediction by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, any other agency of the United States Government, or any agency of the Government of the State of Washington of the occurrence of any circumstance beyond the control of either party—including, without limitation, acts of God, war, acts of terrorism within a fifty (50) mile radius of Kittitas County, government regulations, disaster, pandemic/epidemic illness, strikes or threat of strikes (except that neither party may terminate this Agreement for situations involving that party’s own employees), civil disorder, or curtailment of transportation facilities—to the extent that such circumstance makes it illegal , impossible or economically impracticable for the parties LT-2026-006 PUNCH PROJECTS _______2026 County Lodging Tax Funding Agreement Page 8 to complete the duties and mutual obligations agreed upon and imposed upon them herein. The ability to terminate this Agreement without liability pursuant to this paragraph is conditioned upon delivery of written notice from one party to the other within 10 days of such occurrence or upon delivery of written notice from one party to the other within 24 hours of the receipt of notice of the prediction of any of the above occurrences. To the extent feasible within the constraints imposed by any event of the type described above, the parties agree that if the triggering event is of apparently or likely transitory effect, the parties may negotiate such amendments to the agreement that are mutually satisfactory and not otherwise contrary to law, including but not limited to a change in the dates for completion of any portion or the entirety of this agreement. k. Time: Time is of the essence in the performance of this Agreement unless otherwise agreed between the parties in a signed writing. l. Construction: This Agreement has been mutually reviewed and negotiated by the parties, and should not be construed against the drafter. m. Agreement Not for Benefit of Third Parties: This Agreement is entered into solely for the benefit of the parties hereto and vests no rights in, nor is it enforceable by, any third parties. LT-2026-006 PUNCH PROJECTS _______2026 County Lodging Tax Funding Agreement Page 9 KITTITAS COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS CONTRACTOR ________________________________ ______________________________ Chair [Print Name] ________________________________ Vice Chair [Sign Name] Commissioner [Address] Telephone] Date signed: ________________________________ ATTEST: _________________________ Clerk of the Board Letter to Prospective Applicants Dear Prospective Applicants, Thank you for considering applying for the 2026 Lodging Tax Fund. As a crucial part of our community's efforts to bolster tourism and enrich our local culture, we are excited to outline the specific goals and priorities of the Consolidated Lodging Tax Committee for the upcoming year. Our committee is dedicated to supporting events that not only draw visitors to our community but also contribute to its long-term vitality and prosperity. To this end, we are particularly focused on the following criteria for 2026: Off-Season Events: We are eager to fund events that take place during off-peak times, as these have the potential to stimulate economic activity during typically slower periods. Priority will be given to proposals for new events that diversify our community's offerings and attract visitors throughout the year. Uniqueness of Event: We seek events that stand out for their originality, creativity, and distinctiveness. Whether through innovative programming, cultural significance, or immersive experiences, we are interested in supporting events that capture the imagination and leave a lasting impression on attendees. Community Support and Strategic Alignment: It is essential that funded events have a tangible impact on the community in which they are held and align with its strategic goals. We encourage applicants to demonstrate how their event will contribute to local businesses, promote cultural exchange, or enhance community well-being, among other objectives. Emphasis on Tourism from Outside the 50-Mile Radius: Proposals should outline strategies for marketing and outreach to attract visitors from neighboring regions and beyond, thereby maximizing the economic and cultural benefits of the event. (RCW 67.28.1816) We believe that by prioritizing these criteria, we can support events that not only drive tourism but also foster community engagement, stimulate economic growth, and showcase the unique identity of Kittitas County. We encourage all interested applicants to carefully review the guidelines and criteria outlined in the application materials and to submit proposals that align closely with our goals and priorities. Together, we can create memorable experiences that enrich our community and leave a lasting legacy for years to come. Thank you for your interest in the 2026 Lodging Tax Fund. We look forward to receiving your applications and working together to make Kittitas County a vibrant destination for visitors and residents alike. Sincerely, Consolidated Lodging Tax Committee EXHIBIT A LTAC Application You are strongly encouraged to compose your responses to the questions of this form with a desktop text editor and save your work, then copy and paste the information into the form. You may also save a draft by selecting the button at the bottom of this page. When you do this you will be logged out and must log back in to continue. In order to save a draft you will need to provide an email address and a password. After completing the save draft, you will be redirected to landing page containing a link to log back into the form. We suggest you save this link as a bookmark. The link will also be sent to you in an email. Did you attend the Grant Application Workshop for the current year hosted by the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce?* Confirmation and Acknowledgement:* Name of Organization * Organization Address * Organization Classification * Upload Proof of Organization Status (NOTE: incorrect/incomplete documentation will disqualify the application)* NOTE: The project contact listed below MUST be a volunteer/member/employee of the organization requesting funds. First Name * Last Name * Yes No I have read and understand Submittal Instructions and General Information for the Lodging Tax Grant Funding Process. I acknowledge that a representative for my organization will need to attend (either virtually or in-person) the oral presentation meeting to answer questions. Organization Information Punch Projects City Thorp State / Province / Region Washington Postal / Zip Code 98946 Country USA Mailing Address PO Box 111 Business Non-Profit Click here to view sample documents (redacted). Acceptable file formats include: JPG, PDF or TIFF PUNCH w9.pdf 450.62KB Project Contact Information Justin Beckman Phone Number * Email * Project/Event Name * Project/Event Location * New or Ongoing Project/Event?* Please provide any specific dates, or range of dates, on which your event or project will be held. You may add as many dates or date ranges as necessary.* Start Dates *End Dates Service Categories * Tourism Seasons * Amount of Funding Requested * Funding Request Max 1| Project/Event Description 509-306-9302 justinbeckman@gmail.com Project or Event Information Punch Projects: Fire House Project Punch Projects: 10630 N. Thorp Hwy, Thorp, WA Ongoing Project/Event (More than four years in existence) New Project/Event (Four or fewer years in existence) 1/17/2026 12/26/2026 Check all categories that apply to this application Tourism promotion/marketing Operation of a special event designed to attract tourists Operation of a tourism related facility Other From the list below, what season will your project enhance tourism? Select any which apply. Year-round (January - December) Off Season (November - February) Shoulder Season (October or March - May) High Season (June - September) If you selected "Ongoing Project/Event" above, this amount may not exceed 10% of the total expense budget of this project. 30000.00$ 96,054.00 Please answer each of the following questions completely, in the order listed. Please include any supporting data within the response narrative. Application Questions: Part 1 Response 1.1: Please provide a description of your project/event.* Response 1.2: Please provide us link to a brief video summary of you organization's event/project.* PUNCH Projects works to promote visual dialogue between urban and rural art communities and seeks to support the cultural vibrancy of rural art scenes by spurring creative awareness, cross-cultural engagement and economic vitality. In fall of 2021, we signed a lease on the old fire house in the small rural-community of Thorp and began what we call the “Fire House Project” – creating a space that now, after nearly 4 years, houses a gallery, outdoor stage/performance area, and an indoor performance area and snack bar with packaged snacks and beer. Exhibitions in the gallery change monthly and we have musicians and other performers year-round on either the indoor or outdoor stages. We are currently open 12-5pm on Saturdays with volunteer staff, with extended hours on last Saturdays to 8pm. 2024 and 2025 were periods of significant growth in our arts and culture programming, with visual art, interactive experiences, and performative events happening every Saturday. The Punch Firehouse Project is unique in that it is the only public venue in Thorp and is an important bridge between upper and lower counties providing cultural experiences to tourists and locals alike. The past year continues to maintain high attendance numbers. In a town with a population of approximately 200, open one day per week, we had 2983 visitors Sept. 2024 – Aug. 2025. This is more than 3x as many visitors from same months during our first year, and nearly identical (with a slight increase!) to the same months last year which shows sustainable interest in our programming. We estimate 19.3% of those to be out-of-county – an increase from the previous year ’s 14.4%. Gross retail sales for 2025 have increased 58.83% comparing again Sept. 2024 – Aug. 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 we continue to work toward expanding our hours, programming and retail offerings in 2026, we continue to invest in ways to reach a broader audience and a sustainable path forward. Many visitors are still discovering us for the first time and have been a mix of folks who have seen our out-of-county advertising, some who have discovered us as they pass our Thorp location enroute to raft or fly fish, others who have bicycled the scenic byway from Roslyn to Ellensburg, and of course regulars from Ellensburg and upper county. 2500 character limit Note: You MUST be present at the Q&A meeting to qualify for funding. https://youtu.be/i2arphfqYyw Response 1.3: List of Intended Use of Funds * Note: This language will be related in the contract if awarded. The CLTAC cannot approve funds not listed under RCW 67.28.1816. However, the committee has the right to be more restrictive. Work with a professional agency to advise and support our marketing and promotion strategy Develop written content for online media, radio spots, & press releases for newspaper/magazines Create photography, video, graphics & visuals to be used in social media, digital & print ads Create content for website and improve SEO and search results Ongoing website design/maintenance and social media management Fees for boosted social media ads, online advertising, radio spots & print advertising beyond Kittco Fees for boosted social media ads, radio spots & print advertising within Kittco week of event Talent fees for artists, musicians, performers, guest speakers and/or workshop presenters Travel expenses for out-of-town artists, musicians, performers, presenters Shipping fees for artwork and event-related equipment Equipment rental as-needed for performances and workshops Licensing fees to present movies and films 2| Supporting Kittitas County as a tourism destination. 1. Away from their place of residence or business and staying overnight in paid accommodations; 2. To a place fifty miles or more away from their place of residence or business for the day or staying overnight; 3. Or from another country or state outside of their place of residence or business. You must provide the evidence utilized in determining your projections. 3| Impact Response 3: Describe how you will promote your event/activity/facility to attract tourists.* Response 2.1: Why would tourists travel to Kittitas County to attend your event/activity/facility?* Since opening the Firehouse Project in October 2021, we have hosted an estimated 8,579 visitors. Approximately 1,699 (19.8%) of those are from out-of-county and often combine a visit to our gallery and music venue with a visit to other arts organizations in-and-out of the county such as Gallery One in Ellensburg, Twisp Works to the north or Mighty Tieton to the south. We are currently open every Saturday and new exhibitions open on the first Saturday of the month. This follows the First Friday Artwalk in Ellensburg, giving visitors the perfect opportunity to make a weekend of art in central Washington. We are perfectly placed on the scenic byway halfway between Roslyn/Cle Elum and Ellensburg. This location has allowed us to connect with river rafters, fly fishermen and bicyclists who have discovered us on their path, enriching their visit and experience within Kittitas County. We have a history and proven track record of creating exhibitions and creative projects that draw large audiences. For our 2026 general programming, we plan to continue monthly exhibitions in the main gallery that will attract and appeal to visitors beyond Kittitas County. From May-September we host performers and visitors in our outdoor event and gathering space, and our indoor venue and “snack bar” with food and beer offerings allows us to feature performers, presentations and workshops year-round. In 2026, we plan to continue expanding our performance programming, providing opportunities for local musicians as well as more regionally recognized. We also plan to continue expanding other offerings such as film and movie screenings to our event lineup. Considering our unique mix of art exhibitions in our gallery space, performance on our backyard stage, our year-round indoor venue and “snack bar,” and an upstairs workshop space for lessons and demonstrations, there is a lot to see and experience at PUNCH Projects throughout the year. Our central location, adjacency to the scenic byway, and rural appeal are perfect publicity talking-points to draw-in new visitors and tourists. 2500 character limit Response 2.2: Describe the prior success of your event/activity/facility to attract tourists.* Though Kittitas County is a strong supporter of visual arts, with opportunities to visit exhibitions at a small number of galleries during Ellensburg’s First Friday Artwalk, there are few spaces that combine that with food and beverage, live music, film, or performance. Because we are the only venue of this nature in Thorp and close to upper county, we draw a significant number of residents and tourists from Cle Elum and Roslyn. After moving into the historic fire house in Thorp in October 2021, we quickly expanded from just a gallery and exhibition space in the front of the building, to an upstairs summer residency space for visiting artists in partnership with Ellensburg’s Gallery One, and a backyard stage for musicians and performers. In less than four years, we have more than tripled annual attendance from 937 in our first year to 2,983 the past 12 months. In Sept. 2023, we started collecting zip codes and “overnight stays” data in the form of a sign-in sheet on our reception desk. This data shows that in the past 12 months, our visitors have booked an estimated 165 hotel nights, for a total of 268 overnight stays by individuals. Considering our past experience of creating visual arts events throughout Washington state and our successful first three-and-a- half years with our Fire House Project, coupled with the demand for a creative venue that merges the arts, live performance, good drinks and food, we feel uniquely poised to create a destination that not only supports rural vitality in small unincorporated Thorp, but also builds bridges between the urban cultural centers of the Northwest and the smaller communities among the fertile landscape from which PUNCH originated. 2500 character limit Application Questions: Part 2 We intend to continue focusing on PUNCH Projects as a year-round arts and culture destination while highlighting some of our more significant events such as our summer concert series, annual “Speakeasy” event and guest speakers. We also want to continue promoting “weekend” art getaways such as the back-to-back First Fridays in Ellensburg and First Saturdays in Thorp. Our marketing strategy will be a mix of boosted Facebook and Instagram ads, print ads, and editorial features. We’ve also continued working to expand our website content to improve SEO and search results when tourists are looking for things to do when planning trips, as well as taking advantage of travel-related sources such as Yelp and Trip Advisor. We currently have an email list with 1400+ subscribers to which we send a monthly update. As we continue to develop our marketing and promotion strategy, we will be looking to grow our number of subscribers and take full advantage of direct marketing via email to promote events, encourage attendance, and increase overall sales. We’ve seen great results from print advertising in Seattle’s “The Stranger” and Wenatchee’s “Comet” publications. We look forward to expanding our print placement and making more use of underutilized platforms such as “Google Ads.” 2500 character limit 4| Collaboration Response 4.1: If your organization collaborates or has created partnerships with other organizations, groups, or other events, how is this accomplished?* Response 4.2: Describe how you will promote lodging establishments, restaurants, and business located in Kittitas County * Response 4.3: Is there a host hotel for your event or grant project? If yes, list the hotel.* 5| Future Plans Application Questions: Part 3 Gallery One Visual Arts Center (Ellensburg) In January 2025, we partnered on a multi-site immersive “video art” exhibition. We also volunteer in many ways throughout the year to support their programming. Currently, we are in discussions to rent space in their “INK” location on Main Street Ellensburg. Our plan is to activate this space as a First Friday “after party” with music and hospitality. Thorp Community Day (Thorp) In October 2024, we once again supported Thorp Community Days through parade participation, community engagement, and cross-marketing and we’re already planning our float for the 2025 parade. Blue Bear Puppet Lab of Ellensburg has been a partner in the creation of our floats for 2023 and 2024. Iron Horse Brewery (Ellensburg) Continues to be a prominently stocked beer in our snack bar and we have enjoyed collaborating with them on various art and design related projects throughout the year, such as event graphics. Inland Poetry (Ellensburg) Has hosted performances on both indoor and outdoor stages at our Fire House Project. Others We also collaborated with numerous artists and musicians throughout 2025, as well as food vendors such as Gemini Fish, Dr. BBQ and Puff Puff Pizza. In the future, we are excited to expand partnerships with more arts and cultural organizations throughout the county and the Department of Art + Design at CWU. 2500 character limit We have a list of hotels and restaurants that we provide to folks coming from out-of-town. This is a list that goes to our visiting resident artists, exhibiting artists and guest speakers. As we continue developing multi-day workshops, we would include this information as part of the signup process for attendees. As our audience and attendance continues to grow, we also want to partner with more hospitality vendors or food trucks and look forward to finding ways to bring more businesses to Thorp. Within our space, we have places for local partners to post event posters and flyers, and we frequently cross promote with partners and events on our social media channels. 2500 character limit No Yes 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 Response 6.2: You may upload any supporting documents such as graphs, images, diagrams, marketing materials, etc. You are allowed to submit up to 3 single page (US Letter) documents in JPG, PDF or TIFF format Punch_Support_Materials_2025_01.pdf 378.12KB Punch_Support_Materials_2025_02.pdf 826.79KB 7| Previous Lodging Tax Grant Information Response 7.1: Has your event received Lodging Tax funds in previous years?* No, this event/project has not previously received Lodging Tax Funding Yes, 1 year previous Yes, 2 years previous Yes, 3 years previous Yes, 4 or more years previous Response 7.2: Overall Attendance * Past Actual *Projected * 2,983 3,500 Response 7.3: Number of people travelling more than 50 miles for your event?* Past Actual *Projected * 578 600 Response 7.4: Number of people traveling from outside WA State for your event?* Past Actual *Projected * 29 50 Response 7.5: The number of overnight guests who stay in paid accommodations in Kittitas County for your event?* Past Actual *Projected * 268 280 Response 7.6: Number of paid lodging room nights resulting from you event/activity/facility?* Past Actual *Projected * 165 180 Response 7.7: In addition to fields above, you may upload the evidence to support the prior years' room/night information. You may upload up to three single pages (US Letter), of information. If you a single multi-page document, only the first three pages will be considered. The following formats, will be accepted: JPG, PDF or TIFF Response 7.8: What methodology did you use to calculate the prior years' actual numbers?* Direct Count (preferred) Indirect Count Representative Survey Informal Survey (preferred) Structured Estimate Other 8| Funding Response 8.1: Does your organization have, or have you applied for funding from other sources?* Response 8.2a: If not, please explain why not.* Response 8.3: What changes will be made if funding for your request is not available or recommended?* Matching Funds Percentage 9| Project Budget Overview Please complete budget for this project/proposal. If your agency operates independently of this project application it may not be necessary to submit the entire agency budget. You must submit a budget which specifically pertains to the project/event for which you are requesting funding and adheres to the basic budget format shown below. The budget must include anticipated revenues, expenditures, and any potential profit or loss. For projects/events which are ongoing for more than one (1) year, please also submit actuals from the previous three (3) years of operations (need not be consecutive) for the project/proposal if applicable. For any claimed in-kind contributions valued at $500 or more and related to marketing/advertising, you must submit verifying documentation which assures the contribution will be provided. For instance, if you are claiming in-kind contributions in the form of advertising match, a binding contract itemizing the matching value and obligating each party must be provided. Response 7.9: What methodology will you use to calculate the upcoming numbers?* Direct Count (preferred) Indirect Count Representative Survey Informal Survey (preferred) Structured Estimate Other Response 7.10: Please explain your methodology.* Please explain. We do a direct headcount as folks enter our space. To determine where visitors are from and if they are staying over, we use an informal survey in the form of a sign-in sheet. Unfortunately, we are not able to capture zip code and lodging information from every visitor, which means that our total visitor numbers are very accurate, but the "out-of-county" and "out-of-state" numbers are likely much greater than we are reporting. Same would apply to hotel stays. 2500 character limit Application Questions: Part 5 Yes No We apply to grants throughout the year as they come available. Without a 501(c)3 status, these opportunities are limited and we have not yet secured additional grant funding for 2026. However, we have been working to increase donor funding and sponsorships with last year ’s efforts supporting essential expenses such as rent and utilities. 2500 character limit If PUNCH Projects receives no support through the Lodging Tax Fund it will not impact our ability to continue operating. We will still be able to present exhibitions and host a limited number of performances. Without Lodging Tax funding, however, our ability to grow our audience through out-of-county marketing will be limited as will our ability to feature performers and presenters. Since we notice significantly increased attendance on days when musicians perform, we expect that reducing the number of performers with also reduce the number of attendees. With a limited marketing/promotions budget, we will forgo any professional marketing design and advisement and restrict our advertising to mostly un-boosted social media posts. Our audience will remain mostly local. 2500 character limit. 231.33 This field will auto fill with the correct percentage based on your input to budget section below. ATTENTION: In an effort to allow an adequate level of flexibility for all applicants, not all fields in the budget portion are required to be filled before this form is submitted. Providing all applicable data is your responsibility, failure to do so will potentially jeopardize your application's chance for review. Budget Year Edit if necessary Revenues Account Name Past Actual 3 Past Actual 2 Past Actual 1 Projected Verification of In-kind Contributions Contributions of Volunteer Time Past Actual 3 Past Actual 2 Past Actual 1 Projected Number of Hours Evidence of Volunteer Contributions * Calculated Value of Projected Volunteer Time Total Revenues Past Actual 3 Past Actual 2 Past Actual 1 Projected Expenses Expense Item Past Actual 3 Past Actual 2 Past Actual 1 Projected 2023 2024 2025 2026 LTAC Grant Funding 25,000.00$35,000.00$35,000.00$30,000.00$ Other Revenues Artist Services 1300.00$2125.63$0.00$2000.00$ Juried Exhibition 106.42$3235.99$0.00$0.00$ Retail Sales 26292.61$37205.48$57185.89$65000.00$ Tips 0.00$0.00$169.00$400.00$ Other Grants 17500.00$2000.00$0.00$2000.00$ Uncategorized 0.00$0.00$1520.00$0.00$ In-Kind Contributions For any claimed in-kind contributions valued at $500 or more and related to marketing/advertising, you must submit verifying documentation which assures the contribution will be provided. 1,436 2,368 2,260 2,260 Please upload a single file which offers evidence in support of the projected volunteer hours. Punch Projects Volulnteer Hours.pdf 16.64KB 53,245.60$ 70199.03$79567.10$93874.89$152645.60$ Retail Supplies 794.13$2556.42$3702.22$4200.00$ Subcontracted Services 0.00$3091.10$802.25$1200.00$ Artist Sales Commission 16397.44$10884.79$7572.40$12000.00$ Expense Totals Profit & Loss Past Actual 3 Past Actual 2 Past Actual 1 Projected The applicant hereby certifies and affirms: Excise Tax 1888.44$2755.45$2845.38$3000.00$ Snack Bar Supplies 2715.98$5817.75$7102.72$8500.00$ Advertising & Promotion 1994.79$9302.72$5720.46$8000.00$ Award Donation 159.73$2150.00$150.00$250.00$ Bank Service Charges 0.20$2.33$4.93$0.00$ Business Licensing Fee 114.04$80.00$272.50$250.00$ Computer – Hardware 0.00$0.00$356.64$0.00$ Computer – Internet 521.70$697.55$600.00$600.00$ Computer – Software 0.00$24.99$0.00$150.00$ Dues & Subscriptions 406.90$691.06$824.19$800.00$ Hardware / Repairs 394.21$408.00$145.92$350.00$ Insurance - Rental 727.00$730.00$814.00$814.00$ Meals & Entertainment 1361.74$770.15$501.46$800.00$ Office Supplies 152.60$76.21$688.34$300.00$ Postage & Delivery 232.36$321.09$488.89$500.00$ Talent & Professional Fees 5250.00$27636.00$32561.50$35000.00$ Rent Expense 14278.60$9072.00$11100.00$12000.00$ Residency Supplies 14.99$0.00$0.00$0.00$ Travel Expenses 63.83$0.00$59.72$200.00$ Uncategorized Expenses 0.00$0.00$367.89$0.00$ Utilities 870.24$0.00$1617.15$900.00$ Event / Exhibit Supplies 2098.83$680.30$751.05$1200.00$ Garbage Disposal 0.00$16.26$37.08$40.00$ Mileage Reimbursement 998.40$0.00$0.00$200.00$ Remodel / Improvements 4096.90$138.16$1362.47$2000.00$ Retail Furniture 3883.69$1146.58$0.00$1600.00$ Equipment Lease or Rental 0.00$270.00$1978.00$1200.00$ 59416.74$79318.91$82427.16$96054.00$ 10782.29$248.19$11447.73$56591.60$ Application Certification 1. That it does not now, nor will it during the performance of any contract arising from this application, unlawfully discriminate against any employee, applicant for employment, client, customer, or other person who might benefit from said contract, by reason of age, race, color, ethnicity, sex, religion, military status, sexual orientation, creed, place of birth, or disability; 2. That it will abide by all relevant local, state and federal laws and regulations and; 3. That it has read the information contained in the Instructions on pages 1 and 2 and understands and will comply with all provisions thereof. Certified by:* Name * Applicant's Title * Justin Beckman Co-Founder Exhibit “B” Guidelines and Requirements for Expenditure Reimbursements from Lodging Tax Section 1. Branding Contractors who have been approved to utilize grant awards for advertising expenditures must incorporate Kittitas County and the appropriate City of Cle Elum, Ellensburg, or Roslyn tourism information as follows: A. Websites and Social Media Sites must include the County’s and appropriate City’s tourism website logo or URL with an operational link to the site(s). The URL landing page must use the correct logos and have a link to centralwashingtonoutdoor.com. Contractors must either keep the landing page active until time of reimbursement or use a screen capture for full reimbursement. (If you are using a live logo as the link to CWO, please ensure the hyperlink is shown in the screen capture). The logo must be displayed on the contractor’s home page, it must be sized no smaller than ½ inch in height and must be surrounded by appropriate white space to allow easy recognition and legibility. Contractors shall not change the logo(s) in color or appearance. B. Print Advertising and Online Display Advertising of all types (including but not limited to newspaper, periodicals, flyers, posters, billboards, direct mail, e-newsletters, third-party websites, streaming displays, social media etc.) must include the County’s and appropriate City’s tourism website logo (or URL with a one-click away operational hyperlink). The URL landing page must use the correct logos and have a link to centralwashingtonoutdoor.com. Contractors must either keep the landing page active until time of reimbursement or use a screen capture for full reimbursement. (If you are using a live logo as the link to CWO, please ensure the hyperlink is shown in the screen capture). The logo must be sized no smaller than ½ inch in height and must be surrounded by appropriate white space to allow easy recognition and legibility. Contractors shall not change the logo(s) in color or appearance. C. Video Advertising of all types (including but not limited to television, online, electronic kiosks, motion billboards, etc.) must include the County’s and appropriate City’s tourism website logo. The logo must be sized no smaller than ½ inch in height and must be surrounded by appropriate white space to allow easy recognition and legibility. Contractors shall not change the logo(s) in color or appearance. All logos and website information may be obtained by contacting the Director of Tourism, Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce. Section 2. Advertising Reimbursements Contractors seeking reimbursement from Lodging Tax Funds for advertising expenditures must adhere to the following guidelines and requirements for each type of advertising media utilized. A. Print Advertising: 1. Print advertising placed with any media provider which operates exclusively outside of Kittitas County may be reimbursed at 100% of the cost, including any production costs. To operate exclusively outside of Kittitas County, the provider must not be physically located in the County and/or not distribute any media within the County. 2. Print advertising placed with any media provider which operates inside Kittitas County may be reimbursed as follows: a. For date-specific events, advertising the day of the event and up to 10 days prior to the event may be reimbursed at 100% of the cost, including any production costs. b. For seasonal or year-round events, or for date-specific events outside of the timeframe in Section 2 A, (2)(a) above, advertising reimbursement requests must include a statement from the media provider specifying the percentage distribution to areas outside of Kittitas County. Reimbursements will be allowed for the amount distributed outside of Kittitas County, including any production costs. B. Television Advertising: 1. Television advertising placed with any media provider outside the Yakima/Kittitas DMA will be reimbursed at 100% of the cost, including any production cost. 2. Television advertising placed with any media provider inside the Yakima /Kittitas DMA will be reimbursed as follows: a. For date-specific events, advertising the day of the event and up to 7 days prior to the event may be reimbursed at 100% of the cost, including any production costs. b. For seasonal or year-round events, or for date-specific events outside of the time- frame in Section 2 B, 2(a) above, advertising may be reimbursed at the rate of 70% of the total cost, including any production costs. C. Online Advertising: 1. Online advertising and promotion may be reimbursed at 100% of the cost, including any production cost. 2. Streamed media (radio, television, other) requests for reimbursement must include a statement from the media provider specifying the percentage of recipients which are outside of Kittitas County. Reimbursements will be allowed for the percentage distributed outside of Kittitas County, including any production costs. D. Direct Mail: 1. Direct mail advertising may be reimbursed at 100% of the cost, including any production cost, for each item mailed or shipped to a destination outside of Kittitas County. In order to receive reimbursement, a list of the addresses and a signed statement from the contractor that the list is accurate, or other proof of delivery, must be provided along with other required documentation. E. Flyers/Posters: 1. Flyers or posters which are placed outside of Kittitas County may be reimbursed at 100% of the cost, including any production cost. In order to receive reimbursement, a list of the locations where flyers or posters were posted outside of Kittitas County, a signed statement from the contractor that the list is accurate, and a copy of the poster/flyer must be provided along with other required documentation. 2. Banners which are placed inside of Kittitas County may be reimbursed at 100% of the cost, including any production costs. In order to receive reimbursement, the banner cannot list a specified date or location. Requests can only be made one time. 3. Signage (site layout use only) which are placed inside of the venue/facility of the event may be reimbursed at 100% of the cost, including any production costs. In order to receive reimbursement, the signage cannot list specified date or location. Request can only be made one time. (i.e. ADA Parking/Parking, Loading Zone, Evacuation Route, Bathrooms, and Stage locations) F. Radio Advertising: 1. Radio advertising placed with any media provider located outside of Kittitas County may be reimbursed at 100% of the cost, including any production cost. 2. Radio advertising placed with any media provider located inside of Kittitas County may be reimbursed as follows: a. For date-specific events, advertising the day of the event and up to 7 days prior to the event may be reimbursed at 100% of the cost, including any production cost. b. For seasonal or year-round events, or for date-specific events outside of the time- frame in Section 2 F, 2(a) above, advertising may be reimbursed at the rate of 30% of the total cost, including any production costs. G. Operation Reimbursement: 1. Operation costs may be reimbursed 100% of the paid invoice cost. In order to receive reimbursement operations invoice must an approved cost from the Consolidated Lodging Tax committee members list. Invoice provided must include notation of payment with proof of payment. 2. Mileage reimbursements that are outside of 50 miles of Kittitas County may be reimbursed at 100% of cost. In order to receive reimbursement, a signed statement from the receiver along with other required documentation. Mileage reimbursement is subject to IRS mileage reimbursement rates which may change annually. 3. Items not eligible for reimbursement: a. Salaries of employees. b. Capitol purchases- any item with 3+ years life and over $5,000. c. Licenses, permits, insurance, or credit card fees.