Disbursing the $400,000

The $400,000 from the City's lodging tax that has been allocated to the Tourism Board has been the topic of much discussion. Since April, an ad hoc committee of the Tourism Board has been working on drafting an RFP (request for proposals) and establishing the criteria for judging proposals to be funded with that money. Today, the final RFP has been released, and businesses and organizations are invited to propose projects that "promote Hudson as an attractive destination and strengthen our local communities and economy." What follows is the press release announcing the program and inviting applications.

ANNOUNCING: PROJECT HUDSON!

The Hudson Tourism Board is welcoming proposals for short- and long-term projects that promote Hudson as an attractive destination and strengthen our local communities and economy.

We invite businesses and organizations based in the city of Hudson to fill out an application online or by hand.

The board will consider applications that:

• Take place in the City of Hudson.
• Enliven Hudson's city life.
• Illuminate or create a unique experience of Hudson's communities and businesses.
• Create local opportunities for climate resiliency, where applicable.
• Use "tactical urbanism," which encourages low cost, impermanent, and DIY projects, where applicable.

The Tourism Board is tasked with using its funds to promote our city. With Project Hudson, the board hopes to take steps toward supporting the creativity, ingenuity, and civic-mindedness of Hudsonians to create a more vibrant, healthy, equitable, and safe place to live and to be.

This program is being administered with the help and support of the CEDC.

At yesterday's Tourism Board meeting, it was explained that applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, with a first round of applications being reviewed on June 26, a second round being reviewed on July 3, and rounds thereafter reviewed to coordinate with the Common Council meeting schedule. All grant recommendations must be approved by the Common Council.