Sumner is in the process of deciding how to increase tourism and will financially support an organization to do so.

On Nov. 10, applicants for the $50,000 in lodging tax grants presented proposals on how the funds would be used to promote tourism in the city. Sumner formed a committee earlier this year to disperse the funds.

The grant comes from the lodging tax collected by two area hotels and all applicants must be either nonprofit or government organizations.

Tourism is defined as visitors coming from at least 50 miles away. Tourism supports businesses and the city through tax revenue, Carmen Palmer, the Sumner communications director, said.

Presenters included Shelly Schlumpf, executive director of the Puyallup/Sumner Chamber of Commerce, and Arla Holzschuh, executive director of the Sumner Downtown Association. Ideas for tourism promotion presented by Holzschuh included radio and TV advertisements.

Holzschuh said it’s not only important to entice people to travel to Sumner, but also to encourage them to return.

“If we get them down here for any reason and they’re not impressed enough to come back, we’ll have done more damage,” Holzschuh said.

A recommendation will be made by the committee to council soon for approval.

Schlumpf said her idea for promotion includes Rhubarb Ramblings, in which businesses work together to advertise upcoming events involving rhubarb or simply promote a rhubarb item at a local restaurant.

“Fifty thousand dollars is not a lot of money when you’re trying to put on promotions,” Schlumpf said.