BLAINE, Wash. – The City of Blaine has awarded five grants supporting tourism in the city after taking in a near record amount of tax revenue for lodging in 2022.

The Northern Light reports Blaine received over $270,000 in lodging tax revenue last year, only slightly under the highest annual total seen in 2008.

Additional funding of $35,000 for the grants was approved at this week’s city council meeting including $5,000 each for Blaine Arts Council and the Wings Over Water Birding Festival.

The largest of the new grants will be $18,000 going to the Chamber of Commerce for the Old Fashioned Fourth of July festival.