Twentynine Palms TBID awards more grants for local events

The Twentynine Palms Tourism Business Improvement District monthly meeting was held on Thursday January 29.

Hotel guests in Twentynine Palms pay a small fee per night which is collected by the Tourism Business Improvement District and distributed amongst event applicants to put on selected productions throughout the year. At the November 2025 meeting, the deadline for applications for 2026 TBID event grants and sponsorships was extended to December 31 2025, as the Board felt not enough time had been granted to prospective applicants.

Six additional grant applications were received, of which three were deemed ineligible. The remaining applications moved forward and were reviewed by the planning department. These were Sky’s the Limit Cosmic Connection which received $3,000, Friends of the Historic Plaza Holistic Health Fair which received $2,500 and High Desert Lo-fi Lit Weekend which received $2,500.

The Spring Equinox event was granted partial sponsorship of $6,000, with the stipulation that 75% of attendees must have overnight accommodations in the City of Twentynine Palms. The “Stay and Play” event to be put on by JT Brewing company was granted partial funding of $9,000.

The Advisory Board spent time discussing how to not just encourage, but make it mandatory for event participants to stay in Twentynine Palms overnight.Board member Ben Uyeda had this to say:  “I’m uncomfortable with the idea of encouragement alone. I think if the event is going to be at a private residence in Wonder Valley, there are plenty of private residences that could be short term rentals that could be booked here in Twentynine Palms.”