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Pricey Editor,
Fremont County voters will likely be requested on their November 8 basic election poll whether or not they want to renew the two% county lodging tax for one more two years. Listed below are a number of explanation why I’ll be voting “For.”
Tourism Contributes Considerably to Fremont County’s Financial system
Tourism is the second largest financial generator within the Cowboy State, producing jobs and dwelling wages for year-round residents. Final 12 months right here in Fremont County — marketed as Wyoming’s Wind River Country — tourism immediately supported 1,460 jobs and generated roughly $54.2 million in wages.
Guests to Fremont County spent simply shy of $158 million {dollars} in 2021, accounting for spending within the following areas:
- $30.7 million in eating places (up 16.9% from 2020)
- $27.8 million in lodging (up 56.4%)
- $21.6 million in arts, leisure, and recreation (up 16%)
- $19.9 million in gasoline and native transportation (up 54.7%)
- $17.4 million in buying (up 17.6%)
- $9.8 million in meals shops (up 18.8%)
- $1 million in customer air journey (up 20.7%)
The Lodging Tax – The Tax We Don’t Pay
Initially adopted in 1989, the renewed county lodging tax would proceed to impose a 2% gross sales tax on “sleeping lodging for visitors in motels, motels, vacationer courts, trailer parks, campgrounds, dude ranches, short-term condominiums, and comparable institutions” (e.g., Airbnb’s and VRBO’s). This tax falls virtually completely on guests to Fremont County, and the income collected would proceed to be immediately invested in attracting extra guests — and their {dollars} — to Fremont County. That is performed by Fremont County’s vacation spot advertising and marketing group (DMO) and lodging tax board, the Wind River Visitors Council (WRVC), on which I at present function Vice President. Composed of representatives of Dubois, Hudson, Lander, Riverton, Shoshoni, and Fremont County, the WRVC exists “to stimulate tourism by rising consciousness of, and inspiring visitation to, the distinctive locations, actions and occasions in Wind River Nation.” Fremont County’s lodging tax income for fiscal 12 months 2021/2022 (ending June 30, 2022) was a record-breaking $1,016,610.77, considerably greater than the earlier record-breaking 2018/2019 fiscal 12 months, which noticed a complete of $734,689.52 collected.
Investing in Lander’s Tourism Property
On behalf of the Metropolis of Lander, the Lander Chamber allocates yearly tens of hundreds of {dollars} of lodging tax proceeds within the type of Tourism Asset Growth (TAD) Grants to non-profit and civic organizations whose occasions and packages appeal to guests to Lander. Via the years, there are few, if any, occasions/packages held or hosted in Lander that haven’t been supported by a Lander Chamber TAD Grant. A pattern of those embody the Pioneer Days Rodeo and Parade, Native American dances, Lander Presents summer season live performance collection, Fremont Space Highway Tour, Jurassic Basic mountain bike pageant, RiverFest srt pageant, Lander Valley Farmers’ Market, One Shot Antelope Hunt, Problem for Charities, Fremont Toyota Shootout, Lander Women Softball League, Worldwide Climbers’ Competition, Lander Brewfest, Wyoming Outside Weekend & Expo, Fremont County Pioneer Museum, Sinks Canyon Tough & Tumble Path Races, Lander Senior Babe Ruth Baseball, Museum of the American West, Lander Artwork District Road Honest, Backyard Expo, Wings n’ Wheels Fly-In/Airshow/Automotive Present, and plenty of, many extra!
Tourism drives Lander’s economic system and makes our little metropolis an enticing vacation spot for each vacationers and locals. Vote “For” to resume the county lodging tax!
Thanks on your time and consideration of my feedback.
Variety regards,
Owen Sweeney
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