Snohomish County is accepting applications from private, public and nonprofit agencies for projects that develop and promote tourism in the county under the new Tourism Promotion Area program.

The purpose of the funds is to grow the county’s tourism economy through increased visitor spending at Snohomish County lodging establishments as well as increase retail, restaurant, transportation, attraction and other local spending. Annually, the travel industry generates about 9,000 jobs and $798 million in direct visitor spending in Snohomish County.

Project applications will be reviewed by the Tourism Promotion Area Board of Directors, who will make recommendations to the Snohomish County Executive and County Council for final approval.

Funds will be available beginning in January and will be awarded on a competitive basis to applicants who can show that their projects will generate overnight room stays in lodging establishments throughout the county.

Details of eligibility and other program requirements are included in the application package, which must be filled out and returned to the Snohomish County Office of Economic Development by 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 19. Applications received after that time and date will not be considered.

Applications are available by contacting the Office of Economic Development at 3000 Rockefeller Avenue, M/S #411, Everett, WA, 98201.

For more information on the program, contact Wendy Becker at 425-388-3186 or wendy.becker@snoco.org.