Local organizations, businesses file 110 application requests

The Ritzville City Council held a special meeting on Nov. 28 to view presentations for 110 funding requests from several local organizations and businesses.

A total of $141,733 was requested from groups and businesses to help fund a variety of projects, events and tourism effort to bring more visitors to Ritzville.

The 110 funds can be used for requests focusing on tourism, marketing, and operations of special events or festivals. The funds can also be used for maintenance and operations of tourism facilities owned by nonprofit organizations or the city.

Clerk-Treasurer Kris Robbins said the city has been following the same criteria with the 110 funding process, but city staff is looking at adjusting the process to benefit the nonprofit organizations applying for funds, community members and visitors.

She added the city encourages applicants include a component for advertising events for drawing people from 50 miles or more outside of the city, but it is not a requirement for the 110 funding application.

In requests, the Ritzville Festivals Association once again asked for $5,000 to help cover the costs associated with the Ritzville Community Float. These include construction costs, insurance and the vehicle to transport the float to different events throughout Eastern Washington.

The Wheat Land Communities’ Fair board requested $5,000 for advertising and promotion of their annual Labor Day fair. A portion of the funds would also go toward the fair board sponsoring the annual Youth Jackpot Show at the fairgrounds, as well promoting the rental of the fairground facilities.

The Ritzville Area Chamber of Commerce submitted two separate requests for 110 funds.

The organization first requested $40,000 for tourism marketing to expand and increase activities on Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends.

The chamber plans to use $20,000 of the funds to support businesses and local organizations during those weekends, as well as introduce new activities. The chamber would also use the funds to showcase the city’s new brand.

The request includes using funds for tourism marketing, which includes producing a town guide, partnering with the city for its Ritzville Insider App and maintaining the Visit Ritzville website.

The chamber also requested $15,000 to partner with the City of Ritzville and the Ritzville Partnership group to continue the branding effort.

This includes implementing a marketing, advertising and media plan to further launch and advertise the city’s new brand, “Harvest the Legacy,” which launched in August.

Both funding requests aim to increase the number of people visiting, dining and spending money in Ritzville.

The Ritzville Downtown Development Association requested $15,000 for the installation of three freeway signs, to be located on the east and westbound lanes of Interstate 90 and northbound Highway 395. All three signs would utilize the new Ritzville brand.

The RDDA also asked for $2,400 for 6x8 directional signs using branding to use Smitty’s Boulevard, Galbreath Way and by Love’s Travel Stop.

The signs are constructed to Department of Transportation specification, aluminum with digital graphics.

The association also asked for $1,000 for 18X36 banners for 13 light poles on Main Street, $500 to help the association fund special events and $1,500 to organize the Christmas celebration next year.

Seven hundred dollars would for the Christmas movie shown at the Ritz Theater while $800 would be used for decorations.

Flying Arts Restoration requested $3,000 for the continuation of the Ghost Sign project.

The Ritzville Rodeo Association requested $5,100 for advertising and improvements and expansion.

Several local businesses made requests to help pay for signage. Empire Motel applied for $850 to pay for a sign on the freeway while Best Western Bronco Inn asked for $1,025 for the annual permit fees for Department of Transportation motorist information sign.

Whiskey Gap Distillery requested $1,095 for the business signs up at each of the freeway exits.

Boots and Brushes Western Artists Association asked for $3,000 to coordinate the Art in the Park held in May. The funds would go toward promoting the event through advertising and bringing artists into the city.

The City of Ritzville also made funding requests on the behalf of several local organizations.

The Tree Board submitted two applications, the first being a request for $11,000 to finish the “Welcome to Ritzville on First Avenue next to the information kiosk. The board’s second request consisted of $6,263 to perform landscaping, and plant trees and vegetation along West First Avenue.

The city requested $8,000 to help pay utility costs for the Frank R. Burroughs Home and the N.P. Railroad Depot. It also requested $2,500 for the continuing to fund the Ritzville Insider App.

City staff requested $4,500 for the operation of an existing AM radio station that transmits in the Ritzville area, more specifically for travelers on Interstate 90 east and west, and Highway 395 north and south.

Finally, the city asked for $10,000 for updating the way-finding signage. The signs would be updated to reflect design elements from the city’s new branding.