2010 Transient Guest Tax applications available

Transient Guest Tax Investment applications for 2010 are now available.

According to Becky Tourtillott, Chair of the Transient Guest Tax Committee, said the five-percent tax is money paid by visitors who spent the night at a local hotel or bed and breakfast.

"It is a great source of funding to help us attract even more visitors," she said.

The tax is used by local organizations in the form of grants used to promote Fort Scott and Bourbon County with the intent to bring in more tourism. Transient guest tax grants are used primarily to support events, activities and organizations that encourage increased lodging occupancy thereby continuing the perpetuation of the funds.

"Tourists spend money at our hotels, restaurants, gas stations and our retail stores and are important to economic development in Bourbon County," Tourtillott said.

TGT Committee bylaws do not allow any group to receive more than three grants for the same event, so the TGT Committee is looking to hear about new events and efforts to promote Fort Scott tourism. Applicants will be required to provide definitive documentation of how their particular event increases overnight stays in the community and recipients must submit copies of paid obligations to receive re-imbursements not to exceed the amount of investment approved.

Instructions for applying for allocations include:

* Applications must be received at the Visitor Center by 5 p.m., Friday, Dec. 4, in person or via USPS. Applications will not be accepted via fax or e-mail.

* All advertising requests must be for out-of-region advertising (no advertising expenses for Iola, Pittsburg or Nevada will be covered).

* Funds must be requested and spent between January 1 and December 31, 2010.

Organizations wishing to apply for funding may obtain applications by calling 223-3566, dropping by the Visitor Information Center located at 231 E. Wall St., sending an e-mail to fstourism@fortscott.com or downloading the application from the Web site at www.fortscott.com.