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Published: 31 May 2018 31 May 2018

$50,000 Available to Help Fund Local Events

 Silver City – The Town of Silver City Community Promotions Lodger’s Tax process for funding local events has changed, and now offers two opportunities for applicants to apply and be considered for a maximum of $5,000 per event. The first of two deadlines this year is June 15, and the second is December 3. A total of $50,000 has been allocated for these awards.

An additional portion of Lodger’s Tax revenues will be used to hire a marketing firm, for the purpose of creating a unified branding strategy for the town. An "RFP" or Request for Proposal for the marketing firm will be released in early June and will be posted to the Town of Silver City website, www.townofsilvercity.org, along with the community promotions event applications.

Each organization that receives a $5,000 event award will be required to work with the marketing firm chosen to do most of their advertising but may use some of their award funds for print advertising.

These changes to the lodger’s tax process are designed to make it easier for community organizations to focus on organizing their respective events, rather than using funds and limited resources on advertising and promotion, explained Alex Brown, Silver City town manager.

“We also want to ensure that all Silver City events are promoted in a unified manner, to enhance our efforts to increase local tourism, which is so important to our local economy.”

The event application includes a brief project narrative, organizational overview, marketing plan and history of previous lodger’s tax funding. Applications are available on the website, or by contacting Erika Martinez, purchasing agent for the town, at (575) 534-6352. Applications must be received by Martinez no later than 11 am on June 15 or December 3.

The Lodger’s Tax Advisory Board will review all applications after they have first been reviewed for completeness by Martinez. Advisory Board recommendations will then go to Town Manager Alex Brown for final approval.

Members of the Lodger’s Tax Advisory Board will also be asked to serve on the evaluation committee for the RFP award for the marketing firm, and their recommendation will then go to the Town Council for final approval.