King County Officials have unveiled $900,000 in competitive grant funding to support community-led tourism initiatives that highlight local culture, preserve history, and strengthen neighborhood economies. The competitive request for proposals is open to eligible applicants countywide, and applications are due at noon on October 14. King County Executive Girmay Zihilay highlighted the initiative’s goal of ensuring that those who contribute to the area’s cultural activities have a say in how their heritage is shared and directly gain from the resulting economic opportunities. He described the County’s “local food, art traditions, and gathering places” as part of what makes the region distinctive to residents and visitors alike.
The grant will range from $30,000 to $150,000. The funding supports projects such as art installations, cultural activities, and tourism promotions that showcase local traditions, address community history, or highlight present challenges and efforts against displacement. All funded activities must be free and open to the public. The county says the investment is meant to help communities tell their own stories, care for cultural spaces, and keep economic benefits within the neighborhoods that generate them. “Community-led tourism is about making sure the people who create vibrancy have a say in how their communities and cultures are shared, and that they benefit from the opportunities that come with it. This is the kind of economic development that supports local businesses, creates jobs, and celebrates the diversity of our communities,” Zahilay said.