Park Record file photo by David Jackson
Fifty organizations throughout Summit County were awarded millions of dollars in funding as part of a long-time grant program created to promote tourism in the community.
The Summit County Council on Wednesday approved the Restaurant Tax Advisory Committee’s 2024 recommendations, paying out around $4 million to 53 requests. The program, started in 1991, is funded by a 1% tax on all restaurant sales in the county.
The group ranks each grant application — there were 55 this year — based on six criteria, including sustainable and cultural tourism, the ability to leverage grant funds from other sources, the project’s potential to increase the restaurant sales tax, if the proposal is new or developing, and whether it provides an iconic asset that enhances tourism in Summit County.
The advisory committee received several new requests for funding this year ranging from $5,000 to $250,000. The total ask from the applicants was more than $5 million.
Park City Municipal and the Friends of Ski Mountain Mining History received the largest new grant award at $200,000. The group requested $250,000 for a project aiming to preserve the integrity of the collapsing, historic Silver King Coalition Mine on Park City Mountain. The first project phase would repair the windows and restore the interior in an effort to generate heritage tourism. The next phase would open the structure to visitation.
Another large amount went to the Park City Library for improvements to the Santy Auditorium. The library plans to use $95,000 in grant funds to upgrade its stage, which is used for many artistic, cultural and literary events in the community. It currently has poor lighting, power and wireless microphone capabilities limiting its usability and the enjoyment of attendees.
Park City Ski & Snowboard requested $75,000, one of the few fully funded applications, to cover a portion of operational expenses required to host the U.S. Freestyle Junior National Championship in March 2025 at the Utah Olympic Park. The money will be used for advertising and event promotion, prize money as well as hospitality and site fees.
A similar size award was given to Summit Bike Share. Summit County brought operations in-house last year and hopes to use $74,626 in Restaurant Tax Grant funds for rebranding and marketing expenses. The 2024 season kicks off in May.
Nuzzles & Co. applied for $81,000 in grant funding to help expand its voluntourism program. The pet adoption group organizes Snuggle Lounges at hotels and events in Summit County where visitors can see and pet the puppies. About half of the request was funded.
The town of Henefer received about $27,200 for its Fourth of July celebration. The all-day event features a pancake breakfast, a 5k race, a rodeo, music, games, a mechanical bull, food vendors and a fireworks show. Grant funds will cover those costs as well as the purchase of a new grill. Organizers said they want to see the event grow to help bring more food trucks and vendors to the area.
The Park City Chamber Music Society branched out on its own application this year for advertising expenses for its July 2024 to June 2025 concert series. The music society organizes the Beethoven Festival with 31 concerns and seven Free Monday partnered events as well as community outreach. The committee awarded $21,573.
Ballet NEXT requested $19,500 to help launch a new contemporary ballet series featuring performances with original choreography. The winter program comes after a two-year testing programming partnership with the Park City Institute at the Eccles Center Main Stage. The group was awarded just about $17,000 as it aims to “expand beyond local audiences and attract statewide and national attention.”
Another fully funded, new request was the Excellence in the Community: Summit Sounds program. There will be nine free concerts split between venues in Park City and Summit County. The series will be marketed to out-of-county residents as a “staycation” opportunity, the application said.
Habitat for Humanity received $9,800 to advertise a holiday tree show and auction. The event will take place for two or three days in early December at the Utah Film Studios. Coalville was similarly awarded $3,000 for its annual holiday light parade down Main Street. The funds will be for advertising costs as well as food and gifts for children.
The advisory committee also gave $9,000 to Summit Community Gardens and EATS to host eight dinners for 500 guests. The garden dinner series is intended to bring more visitors to the organization by partnering with local chefs to provide a unique experience for guests.
Weilenmann School of Discovery asked for $52,000 to purchase gift cards from select Summit County restaurants to gift to their teachers and staff. Committee members appreciated the idea but did not feel it was appropriate to fund with the tax grant.
The Snyderville Basin Special Recreation District was also denied funding. Basin Rec asked for almost $44,000 to purchase new treadmills for the Fieldhouse. The project was the lowest-scoring application as the committee did not think it did enough to enhance public recreation opportunities or bring in tourism.
Many of the applicants requested funding for marketing, social media or promotional materials. Awards were given to the Arts Council of Park City and Summit County, the Christian Center of Park City Hike for Hunger, Francis Frontier Days, the Kimball Arts Center, Mountain Town Music, the National Ability Center and more.
Committee members estimated there were about $1,000 in tax grants remaining. An additional $300,000 was added to the tax grant program this cycle. The County Council praised the committee for its work.
