Park City Institute, Egyptian Theatre, Transit to Trails denied restaurant tax grants

The Park City Area Restaurant Association was awarded $357,000 to reach diners and travelers outside of Summit County. Photo: TownLift

PARK CITY, Utah. — Summit County recently released the details of their 2022 Restaurant Tax Grant program, which approved $3 million to be allocated to 30 plus organizations in the county.

In 1991 Summit County implemented a 1% tax to be charged on all restaurant sales within the county to fund the annual grants.

While several organizations such as the Park City Area Restaurant Association, Park City Lodging Association, Park City Chamber/Bureau, and the Sundance Film Festival received some of the most sizable grants, several others missed out on funding.

After receiving 40 applications for a total of $4 million in grant requests, the restaurant tax advisory committee reviewed each individual application and evaluated them based on six components, centered around their potential to increase tourism, especially overnight visitors.

Of the most notable grants allotted, the Park City Lodging Association was awarded the largest amount, receiving $400,000 to aid in their Delta Airlines flight voucher program.

The Park City Area Restaurant Association was next on the list as they were awarded $357,000 to reach diners and travelers outside of Summit County. The funds will be used for a combination of network television, radio, digital display and social media advertising campaigns to drive audiences to dine and stay overnight in Summit County.

Other sizable grants included $300,000 to the Park City Chamber/Bureau, $170,000 to the Sundance Film Festival, and $139,000 to U.S. Ski & Snowboard for the 2023 FIS Freestyle Ski World Cup.

As for the organizations who were denied grants, the Park City Institute was denied $100,000 for submitting financial reports late, while a $400,000 request from the Park City Historical Society and Museum to purchase and restore the Silver King Mine headframe was denied as it did not meet the criteria. Additionally, the Egyptian Theatre was denied a $200,000 grant as they also failed to submit financial reports before the deadline.

A $30,000 application by the Summit Land Conservancy, which would’ve been used to supplement the Transit to Trails program that shuttles hikers and mountain bikers to trailheads, was also denied. The committee claimed the application did not meet its criteria.

For the full details, you can view the report here.