Marble Falls funds music, museums, art, and more
Banners in downtown Marble Falls
Marble Falls just awarded a total of $83,000 in grants to a handful of applicants who plan on upping the appeal of the city to visitors, and hopefully getting them to spend more dollars while they are here.
The Marble Falls Hotel Motel Tax Advisory Committee gave out 11 total grants during its regular meeting on June 25, partially funding a variety of projects including multiple music events, art shows, a fishing tournament, a national swimming competition, a Marble Falls Oktoberfest, and more.
“The idea is to make sure that the agencies that are getting funding are putting heads in beds and bringing prosperity to the town,” said Christian Fletcher, a member of the HOT Advisory Committee and the executive director of the Marble Falls Economic Development Corporation, in an interview with DailyTrib. “From an economic standpoint, Marble Falls is heavily dependent on people who don’t live here.”
“HOT” money refers to the dollars collected by the city through a 7-percent sales tax on overnight stays in the city, at businesses like hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, and short-term rental properties.
HOT money can only be used to help put more “heads in beds” and attract overnight tourists or to support nine different categories within the city:
- Convention and visitor centers
- Convention delegate registration
- Advertising and promotional programs
- Promotion of the arts
- Historical restoration and preservation
- Sporting events
- Enhancing or upgrading existing sports facilities
- Tourist transportation systems
- Signage directing the public to attractions
Every year, the Marble Falls HOT Advisory Committee takes grant applications from local agencies and awards grants based upon their ability to fulfill the criteria for an effective use of HOT money. The committee is made up of five appointed members: Marble Falls EDC Executive Director Christian Fletcher, City Manager Caleb Kraenzel, City Councilor Craig Magerkurth, Marble Falls resident Darlene Oostermeyer, and Hotel Motel Association Representative Jamee Lynn Smith. Kraenzel is the chairman of the committee and a non voting member.
Funded projects
Marble Falls Finance Director Jeneen Peterson estimated that the city would bring in about $800,000 in total HOT revenue for the coming fiscal year. According to Marble Falls EDC Executive Director Fletcher, the city has historically allocated about 10 percent of its total HOT budget towards grants, with the remaining 90 percent being divided between paying off debt obligations, operations, and marketing.
“Word has gotten out that Marble Falls supports live music and local artists,” Fletcher said.
The committee awarded $83,000 in grants to the following applicants:
- Music on Main– $20,000
- USA Swimming competition– $3,000
- Benini Foundation support– $4,000
- Highland Lakes Art Guild and Gallery– $5,000
- Marble Falls Oktoberfest– $4,000
- Highland Lakes Creative Arts programs– $13,000
- Texas Tournament Zone bass tournament– $1,500
- Lone Star Luau Music Festival– $4,500
- Fiesta Jam operations– $19,000
- Fiesta Jam special project, Gary P. Nunn statue- $3,000
- New Texas Sinfonia support– $6,000