Lodging Tax Debate Continues
The Ely Echo, a weekly newspaper, provides news and updates on northern Minnesota, along the Canadian border, through its publications, including North Country SAVER and North Country ANGLER.
Members of the Ely Area Lodging Tax Joint Powers Board have delayed a decision on funding Ely's tourism bureau at current levels. During a meeting, they approved requests to allocate some lodging tax proceeds to the city of Ely for trailhead facility maintenance and to the Ely Chamber of Commerce for staffing.
However, a request from the tourism bureau to receive 95% of the lodging tax, approximately $315,000 for 2026, was not acted upon. Earlier decisions may have impacted this request, as approving all requests would require using reserve funds.
No decision was made on the tourism bureau's request.
Author's summary: Lodging tax funding decision delayed.