In 2017, the voters of Vinton passed a ballot measure to establish a 7% hotel/motel tax within the City limits. The tax went into effect on July 1, 2018. Per the Code of Iowa, funds collects must be spent on recreation, convention, cultural or entertainment facilities. Vinton Unlimited has established the Vinton Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) Grant program to provide financial support to local organizations for community events, cultural and recreational programming, tourism and various other projects.
The HOT Grant accepts applications in the fall and announces grant awards in early in the winter.
Applications taken from November 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024. For a printable application, please click HERE.
Note: if you receive funding, this report must be turned in before future grant applications will be considered. Click here for the Final Report.
2024 HOT Award
HOT GRANT AWARD HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX VINTON UNLIMITED IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE APPLICATIONS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED FOR THE HOT GRANT AWARD.
This grant fund is made possible through the collection of the hotel/motel tax within the City of Vinton. Groups that hold community events, work to promote the City of Vinton or encourage people to visit Vinton are encouraged to apply.
Requests from 501 non-profit organizations or governmental equivalent 170(c)(1) will be considered for the grant.
Grant applications can be submitted between November 1 and December 31, 2024. Grant awards will be announced in February 2025.
According to the lowa Code, the funds must be spent on tourist and convention business in the city. Possible projects may include everything from marketing an event to developing a point of interest to attract people to visit our community.
Past Recipients
- Vinton Softball Baseball Corp (VSBC) – $3,000 for new batting cage nets
- Vinton Softball Baseball Corp (VSBC) – $3,000 for new backstop for Field 3
- Act 1/Palace Theatre – $3,000 for new beverage cooler at the Palace
- Nathan’s Miles Foundation – $1,500 for the Nathan’s Miles Glow Run
- Vinton Unlimited – $3,000 for Boomtown fireworks
- Vinton Unlimited – $3,000 for Tour of Lights Christmas lighting incentive
- Vinton Unlimited – $3,000 for Back Alley beautification
- Vinton Unlimited – $3,000 for Vinton videography
- Benton County Historical Society -$3,000 for ADA restroom at the Depot
- Benton County Historical Society – $3,000 for ADA ramp at the Depot
- Benton County Historical Society – $3,000 for A Walk in the Past event
- Virginia Gay Hospital – $3,000 for Party in Pink chip timer, entertainment/emcee, volunteer shirts
- VFW Smith-Geater Post 8884 – $2,000 for update to venue
- VFW Auxiliary – $2,000 for update to kitchen venue
- Vinton Country Club – $3,000 for public golf simulators
- Vinton Parks & Recreation – $2,500 for esports room renovations
- Vinton Unlimited – $3,000 for Boomtown advertising
- Vinton Unlimited – $3,000 for Vinton brochure printing
- Vinton Unlimited – $3,000 for Deck the House Christmas lighting event
- Vinton Unlimited – $3,000 for “Bright Lights on 4th” summer concert advertising
- Virginia Gay Hospital -$2,000 for Party in Pink 5K signs and promotions
- VFW Smith-Geater Post 8884 – $2,500 for equipment for craft & vendor fairs
- Vinton Parks & Recreation – $2,000 for Glow Run 5K
- Vinton Parks & Recreation – $2,000 for Splashpad & Grand Opening
- Vinton Parks & Recreation – $2,471.18 for the Climbing Gym
- Vinton Unlimited – $2,500 for Community Christmas Lighting Incentive
- Vinton Unlimited – $2,500 for Serving Vinton sign
- ACT I/Palace Theatre – $1,000 for concession stand upgrades
- Benton County Historical Society – $1,000 for civil war re-enactment
- Vinton Baseball Corporation – $725 for an informational sign and Vinton map
- Vinton Guild of Fine Arts – $1,000 for art workshops
- Vinton Parks & Recreation – $1,000 each for nerf parties, e-sports gaming lab, skate rink floor resurfacing and Veterans Park Memorial Renovation
- Vinton Unlimited – $1,600 for Celebration Saturday and brochure restocking
- Virginia Gay Hospital Health Care Foundation – $1,000 for the Benton County Community Health Fair