SAN DIEGO - Nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations that attract businesses, increase employment opportunities, or promote San Diego as a tourism destination can now apply for funding from a special City of San Diego program for the 2003 fiscal year.

Begun in 1998, the City's Economic Development and Tourism Support Program (EDTS) provides Transient Occupancy Tax funds to nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations that produce regionally- significant services, programs and events that improve the San Diego economy by boosting tourism, attracting new businesses, and increasing jobs in the area.

Organizations interested in applying for funding can find the application and guidelines on the City's web site or call the City's Community and Economic Development Department at (619) 533-4233. Program applications must be postmarked by the deadline date of Friday, February 15, 2002 or hand- delivered by 5 p.m. to: City of San Diego Community and Economic Development Department, 600 B Street, Suite 400, San Diego, CA 92101. Late applications will not be accepted.

Applicants are encouraged to attend a Technical Assistance Workshop, which provides a general overview of the program application process for new and returning applicants. It will be held on Monday, February 4, 2002 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The workshop will be held at the Community and Economic Development Department in the Comerica Bank Building, 600 B Street, Suite 400, downtown San Diego.

All qualifying applications will be reviewed by a panel composed of board members of the City's Small Business Advisory Board as well as representatives from the tourism industry and business community. To submit a qualifying application, organizations must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Nonprofit status: Organizations must be able to demonstrate proof of nonprofit tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code, or Section 23701d of the California Revenue and Taxation by the application deadline date. Organizations must be in good standing at the tome of application.
• Track record: Organizations must have engaged in continuing economic, employment or tourism development programming for three (3) years prior to the application deadline.
• Location: Activities of the applicant organization must take place within the City of San Diego and provide direct benefits to City of San Diego residents and visitors. Activities must also demonstrate a direct economic and tourist impact.
• Schools: Universities, community colleges, school districts, foundations and private educational enterprises are not eligible to apply.
• Note: Organizations requesting EDTS funding may submit only one application under these guidelines and may not apply or receive funding in other City TOT allocations programs, such as those administered by the City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture or the Financial Management department.

With an emphasis on the City's urban core neighborhoods and low and moderate income residents, the Community and Economic Development Department strives to improve the quality of life and ensure a healthy economy in San Diego through job development, business development, neighborhood revitalization, public improvements, redevelopment, social services, and revenue enhancement.

For more information about the Economic Development and Tourism Support Program, contact the City of San Diego's Community and Economic Development Department at (619) 533-4233 or visit the City's web site at www.sandiego.gov.