Because tourism took a hit in Park City last winter officials say they will use more tax dollars collected at restaurants in Summit County to promote the resort community in the economic downturn.
The Park City Chamber/Bureau, which is the county’s partner in travel promotion, will receive nearly $440,000 this year from the local Restaurant Tax, interim Summit County Manager Brian Bellamy said at a meeting Wednesday in Coalville.
“There are restrictions attached to these monies on how they can be spent,” Bellamy explained.
Sales of prepared food in Summit County generate Restaurant Tax revenues, which must be spent to lure more guests from outside the county. The Restaurant Tax Advisory Committee recommends which groups should receive the money to the county manager who ratifies the selections.
“Due to the current economic climate the committee has decided to do something unprecedented; this year we are recommending a portion of this money be used to fund marketing programs that are created and executed by the Park City Chamber,” a letter from the advisory panel states.
The Chamber/Bureau received $100,000 for new marketing strategies that are approved by the Summit County manager.
“[The Chamber/Bureau] did not submit an application for this additional funding, however the committee felt they could use the additional funding to help make up a portion of the deficit and continue to drive our economy,” the letter states.
The Chamber/Bureau also received $250,000 for buying television spots in major markets outside of Utah.
Meanwhile, Bellamy said he rejected a request for a fundraiser from Mountain Trails Foundation, Summit County Friends of Animals and the Park City Performing Arts Foundation. The groups wanted $30,000 to help market dog sculptures they intend to sell to raise money.
“I just can’t see how statues of dogs will bring people up from the Wasatch Front to sit in restaurants,” Bellamy said.
Also rejected was a request for $25,000 from KPCW-FM to create a weekly on-air and online community calendar. The group also denied funding for lights in Woodenshoe Park in Peoa and the Louis Hudson basketball camp.
Groups that received funding this year include:
Sundance Film Festival — $120,000 for advertising
Park City Municipal — $80,000 for museum renovation; $25,000 for trail paving
Park City Restaurant Association — $180,000 for marketing
United States Ski and Snowboard Association — $250,000 for broadcasting events
Park City Chamber/Bureau — $37,500 for marketing the summer softball championship
Kimball Art Center — $30,000 for advertising for summer festival
Park City Jazz Foundation — $40,000 for marketing
Utah Athletic Foundation — $50,000 for Web site development and advertising
Utah Symphony and Opera — $60,000 for marketing
Park City Performing Arts Foundation — $60,000 for advertising
Park City Chamber/Bureau — $40,000 for entertaining meeting planners
Park City Jazz Foundation/Food and Wine — $20,000 for marketing
Park City Soccer Club — $7,000 for marketing
Park City/Summit County Arts Council — $29,450 for advertising
Utah Lacrosse — $4,200 for promotion
Main Street Business Alliance — $10,000 for brochures; $10,000 for holiday promotion; $5,000 for advertising
Summit County Historical Society — $6,000 for brochures
Mountain Town Stages — $20,000 for advertising
Oakley City — $5,000 for advertising; $13,000 for park improvements; $2,000 for advertising
Park City Chamber/Bureau — $4,000 for promoting winter festival
Egyptian Theatre — $40,000 for advertising
Park City Gallery Association — $5,000 for advertising
Park City Film Series — $7,000 for advertising
National Ability Center — $7,000 for advertising
Uinta Headwaters Council — $4,000 for advertising
Park Silly Sunday Market — $5,000 for advertising
Park City Ambassadors — $6,000 to book entertainment
Park City Lodging Association — $75,000 for promotion
Mountain Trails Foundation — $5,000 for repaving Rail Trail
Adopt-A-Native Elder — $3,000 for advertising
Park City Ice Arena — $5,000 for event storage; $5,000 for lighting
National Sports Foundation — $2,500 for advertising
Park City Chamber Music Society — $5,000 for advertising
Peoa Special Service District — $1,000 for marketing events
Summit County Public Art Advisory Board — $20,000 for mural costs