MRDT

MUNICIPAL & REGIONAL DISTRICT TAX

SMALL CITY,
BIG SUPPORT

MRDT FUNDING

What is the MRDT?
 

MUNICIPAL & REGIONAL DISTRICT TAX

SMALL CITY,
BIG SUPPORT

MRDT FUNDING

What is the MRDT?
The Municipal and Regional District Tax (previously known as the Hotel Room Tax) is a 2% tax levied on guests staying at hotels, motels, and other designated accommodations within the city. Following an extensive community consultation process, the Salmon Arm 5 year MRDT business plan was created and endorsed by area accommodators and tourism stakeholders and approved by the Province of British Columbia. This revenue will be used to support and expand tourism programs, tourism projects, and tourism marketing for Salmon Arm. The goal of the program is to increase the number of visitors to our community, ultimately supporting the growth of our tourism businesses.

Purpose

The vision of the Salmon Arm Municipal and Regional District Tax program is that Salmon Arm and the broader Shuswap region will be recognized as an all-season destination of choice for visitors from around the world. The primary focus of the program is shoulder and off-season tourism development which will be achieved by working collaboratively with partner organizations. Success for this program will be measured through increased accommodation occupancy rates.

Who is Overseeing the Implementation of MRDT?

The City of Salmon Arm is the lead MRDT applicant and has entered into a Third Party Service Agreement with the Salmon Arm Economic Development Society (SAEDS) to administer the MRDT program on its behalf. An MRDT Committee has been formed by SAEDS, comprised of tourism stakeholders who will directly oversee the implementation of the MRDT program in Salmon Arm.

The MRDT will be used to support community groups hosting events by providing:


1. Marketing Support: For further information, direct questions to contact person listed below

2. Event Planning Support: For further information, direct questions to contact person listed below

3. Event Funding Support: In alignment with the MRDT program goals, a small grant fund has been established to assist community organizations hosting events in Salmon Arm. The MRDT Committee will consider all applications received at the first meeting following the 3 in-take deadlines

A primary decision-making factor for funding allocation is the attraction of out of town visitors who are likely to require overnight stays.

*It is recognized that impromptu events may arise during the course of a year and after the official deadline. Under special circumstances, applications outside of the identified dates may be considered at the MRDT Committee’s discretion.

Event Fund Eligibility Criteria

• Applications for funding must be submitted via the on-line MRDT Grant Application Form listed below.

• There are 3 application in-take deadlines annually: June 15th, October 15th and January 15th. COVID 19 Update: Currently, this funding program has been “paused” and is not currently open to application. Please contact us for more information.

• Applications will be accepted from registered non-profit societies, registered charities, or otherwise structured community organizations.

• Event date must fall within the program goals of “shoulder” or “off-season” (September to June).

• Events which have already taken place, before intake date, are ineligible for funding.

• Funding must specifically support an incremental or new activity directly resulting in an increased number of out of town visitors and increased accommodation occupancy rates.

• The event must take place within the City of Salmon Arm or prove beneficial to the Shuswap Region.

• Organizations must provide a brief outcomes report and accounting of the use of the grant monies within 30 days following the event.

• Funding not utilized within 1 year of the disbursal shall be forfeited and the funds shall be returned.
CONTACT PERSON
Lana Fitt
SAEDS Economic Development Officer
edo@saeds.ca
 
Ready? Fill out the form below or submit your final report once complete. Contact Us for more information or questions.