NTCA Invests Over $6M Through the Annual Grant Cycle

Tourism-generated funding is supporting initiatives aimed at improving the experience for North Lake Tahoe residents, businesses and visitors

As part of the TOT-TBID Dollars at Work program’s Annual Grant Cycle, the NTCA Board of Directors recently approved and recommended a total of over $6 million in tourism-generated funding for 12 projects and programs focused on enhancing community vitality and improving quality of life for residents, businesses, and visitors.

“The response to the TOT-TBID Dollars at Work Annual Grant Cycle was strong this year, with 39 projects aligned with community-identified funding categories submitted for consideration,” said Tony Karwowski, NTCA president and CEO. “The projects that were approved and recommended for funding were selected by a broad coalition of local residents who volunteer their time on committees convened by the NTCA because they have the potential to have a positive impact on the day-to-day experience for everyone in North Lake Tahoe.”

At the recommendation of the TBID Advisory and Zone 1 committees, the NTCA Board of Directors approved up to $688,935 in TBID funds. Through the TBID, both day and overnight visitors contribute to North Lake Tahoe’s vitality by spending at activity providers, restaurants, and retailers. TBID funds must be spent on programs and activities that directly benefit the businesses paying the assessment.

The five projects to receive TBID funding support include initiatives that contribute to community vitality, economic health and environmental stewardship:

• Workforce-Strengthening Childcare & Youth Development Programs (Boys & Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe) – $250,000
• Eastern Placer Employer Housing Concierge & One-Stop Housing Resource Hub (Truckee-Tahoe Workforce Housing Agency) – $95,060
• Tahoe Wood: Strategy Development for Local Wood-Based Business Opportunities (Tahoe Prosperity Center) – $62,685
• The 72-Mile Deep Clean of Lake Tahoe (Clean Up The Lake) – $110,787
• Providing Public Access to Lake Tahoe Real-Time Conditions and Water Quality Along the Placer County Shoreline (UC Davis TERC) – $150,403

In addition, the NTCA Board of Directors voted in support of the TOT Advisory committee’s motion to recommend to the Placer County Board of Supervisors up to $5,451,815 in TOT funds (generated by overnight visitors who stay in local hotels or short-term rentals) be invested into seven projects.

In February 2026, the Board of Supervisors will review the recommendation of funding for the following:

• Sierra Community House’s Workforce Housing Advocacy and Direct Assistance Program (Sierra Community House) – $350,000
• Eastern Placer County Launchpad Program (Placer County) – $3,000,000
• Tahoe City Events Park and Ride Pilot (TNT-TMA) – $92,840
• Scotty Lapp Memorial Skatepark in Tahoe City (Scotty Lapp Foundation) – $400,000
• Public Art Installation in the North Tahoe Regional Park (NTPUD) – $65,000
• TCPUD Dianne Feinstein West Shore Tahoe Trail Reconstruction Project, Segment 1 (TCPUD) – $1,500,000
• North Tahoe Trail Expansion Project (High Fives Foundation) – $43,975

In total, the TOT-TBID Dollars at Work program has reinvested over $40 million in tourism-generated funding in support of 58 projects and programs that support the community and a vibrant, year-round economy in North Lake Tahoe.