The Hotel/Motel Tax Board delivered its proposed grants Tuesday to the City Council of Webster City, which swiftly ratified the board’s recommendations, clearing the way for four local projects to continue their work.

Arts R Alive in Webster City, Iowa, a local nonprofit public art advocacy group, received a grant of $8,095.77 for ongoing support of public art in downtown Webster City. It had requested $9,833.77.

Hotel/Motel Tax Board President Andy Sowle explained the decision to adjust the grant.

“We’re only funding art projects we know will move forward.” He did not elaborate on that statement.

Kendall Young Library was the recipient of $15,200 for marketing and rebranding, which was the full amount requested.

The DUB Sports Park, a proposed, privately-operated physical fitness and competition facility, requested, and received $10,000. In addition to providing another venue for personal fitness, the facility’s supporters hope to attract regional sports competitions and teams to the city.

Wilson Brewer Park was successful in obtaining a grant for $30,000 to pay for a new electronic sign to be placed on Superior Street near the museum’s campus of historic buildings, and begin construction of new, ADA-accessible restrooms in the park.

Sowle noted, “The remainder of this request could be supported if we had detailed contractor quotes for the work.”

The Hotel/Motel Tax Board was formed to help fund local initiatives with carefully targeted grants that increase tourism in Webster City. Each year more than $100,000 is collected in taxes on hotel rooms in Webster City, so the rationale is to reinvest these proceeds into projects that can help build local tourism.

Recently, the board approved an annual earmarked grant to benefit the Hamilton County Fair.

Much of the cost of making improvements in all of Webster City’s 10 parks have come from a Hotel/Motel earmark grant.

The funding cycle begins each spring when the board solicits new grant requests. Organizations seeking funds must agree to attend a mandatory training seminar to ensure grant applicants understand the conditions under which grants are awarded.

The board’s first grant was made on June 2, 2008.

The fund has become a reliable, annual supporter of local organizations that might, otherwise, find it difficult to fund their operations.