Huntsville Opens Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) Fund Grant Applications to Boost Local Tourism

Huntsville’s Push to Amplify Tourism: A Call for Local Organizations

HUNTSVILLE, Texas — In a bid to foster tourism, the Tourism Advisory Board, in conjunction with the Huntsville Arts Commission, has officially announced the opening of its Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) Fund Reimbursement Grant Applications. The move seeks to encourage local organizations committed to enhancing Huntsville’s tourism profile.

Those interested in applying must pinpoint which HOT fund grant they seek and are required to submit their applications by 5 pm on Saturday, September 30, 2023. Further, applicants are advised to prepare for a 5-minute presentation about their proposed event or project for either the Tourism Advisory Board or the Huntsville Arts Commission. Questions can be directed to the provided contact number, 936-291-9726.

Key Application Guidelines Include:

1. Eligibility: Only groups, organizations, or businesses overseen by a board of directors qualify. Their event or project should be geared toward boosting tourism from areas beyond Huntsville and target audiences located more than 50 miles from Walker County.
   
2. Application Requirements: A thorough application would consist of the HOT Fund Reimbursement Grant Application, the HOT Fund Reimbursement Grant Agreement Form, and a comprehensive event or project marketing plan. This marketing plan should emphasize target demographics, chosen media outlets, a timeline, and an event budget. The scheduled date for presentations is Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at the William Hodges Education Building, located at the Sam Houston Statue & Visitor Center.
   
3. Use of Funds: HOT funds, regulated by Texas Tax Code Chapter 351, are to be used exclusively for bolstering tourism and the hotel and convention sectors. Approved expenditures encompass endeavors like the establishment or improvement of convention or visitor information centers, advertising that draws tourists, the promotion of the arts, historical restoration, certain sporting events, and more.
   
4. Evaluation Criteria: The HOT Board will appraise applications based on program quality (30%), projected attendance and overnight stays (30%), the emphasis on tourism in the marketing strategy (30%), and the history of the event or project (10%).
   
5. Award of Funding: Post-evaluation, the HOT Board will allocate funds based on the budget sanctioned by the City Council. Constraints on available funds may limit the full financing of a grant.
   
6. Reimbursement Process: Awardees need to provide a Post Event Form and relevant receipts for reimbursement. Failure to comply may result in a forfeit of eligibility for future HOT funding.

For detailed financial planning, prospective applicants can find a budget worksheet at Huntsville’s Official Website. Applicants can apply using the following link: https://laserfiche.huntsvilletx.gov/Forms/HotApp.

This initiative by the Tourism Advisory Board and the Huntsville Arts Commission showcases Huntsville’s commitment to further solidify its place on Texas’s tourism map. Local organizations now have a valuable resource to amplify their reach and bring more visitors into the heart of Huntsville.