In addition to the general guidelines found here (General Guidelines), the following apply to Capital Enhancement funding applications.

  • The request for capital enhancements must be directly related to a need identified in order to successfully host a specified event in Brandon, and the specified event must generate new “event based overnight stays” (limited to hotel/motel rooms, Brandon University, B&B rooms) or maintain existing overnight stays generated by the specified event.”
  • The applicant must provide written proof that the capital enhancements are part of a bid requirement and/or that with the addition of the capital asset, a specific event will be hosted/retained in Brandon.”
  • Funding recommendations will be based on a percentage of the economic impact of the event for which the capital funding is being applied for. The economic  impact of an event will be determined by utilizing the Sport Tourism Economic Assessment Model (STEAM) or for smaller events by multiplying the number of room nights generated by the event duration times the average expenditure for event participants as set forth by the Conference Board of Canada.
  • Capital funding approvals that span multiple years should not exceed $200,000 annually.
  • In any given year, every attempt should be made not to allocate more than 50% of the annually collected funds ear marked for event funding (less the 15% that is placed in the Large Event Accommodation Tax Reserve) to capital enhancements/upgrades, recognizing that in some instances the economic return for the community may be sufficient to warrant a greater funding level.
  • Only one capital application will be permitted per project (ie. two or more organizations cannot both apply for funding for the same capital project).
  • Business plans that accompany a capital funding application must demonstrate sustainability of the capital asset once constructed.
  • Return on Investment (ROI) will be part of the evaluation criteria.
  • Accommodation Tax funding for capital projects is intended to primarily be “top up funding” for eligible capital projects not the primary funding source. There may be situations when the Accommodation Tax is the primary funding source.
  • For a 1 year capital funding commitment, 50% of the funds will be paid to the applicant at commencement of construction and the remaining 50% once construction of the capital project is complete.
  • For multiple year capital funding commitments, a grant payment schedule will be determined at the time of signing the funding agreement.
  • The event organizer whether the same or different from the capital funding applicant may apply for event funding under the appropriate Accommodation Tax event funding category.

 

Eligibility to apply for Capital Enhancement funding from the Accommodation Tax Reserve

  • The event for which capital funding is required must generate overnight stays (limited to hotel/motel rooms, Brandon University, B&B rooms).
  • The capital enhancements for which funding is being requested must be necessary to secure or retain an identified event and are not intended to fund what would be considered normal / regular capital maintenance.
  • The capital enhancements and the event for which capital enhancements are being completed must occur in Brandon.
  • The applicant must have no outstanding taxes, utility charges or other amounts owing to the municipal government and all properties owned by the Organization must be free of any City of Brandon Building and Safety Maintenance Orders.

 

Not eligible for Accommodation Tax Capital Funding grants

  • Retroactive applications will not be considered. Capital applications must be received, reviewed and a decision made by City Council before construction commences and before the event is hosted.
  • Capital enhancements that are not tied to a specific event but instead increase the likelihood of attracting future events are not eligible for Accommodation Tax capital funding.
  • Interior / exterior enhancements that are typical of operating a facility are not eligible for an Accommodation Tax Capital Grant. Ineligible items would include but not be limited to facility maintenance items such as roof repairs / replacement, floor repairs / replacements, renovations, parking lot repairs/replacement, cosmetic improvements, legislatively required upgrades, etc. An exception to this would be items such as a special type of flooring required for an event that differs from the existing floor.