The proposal, known as Destination Kent, passed with 53.6% of voters, or just over 65,900 total in favor of a 3% increase to the hotel incise tax. This will raise the tax from 5 to 8%. 46.4% of voters, or just over 56,900, were against the proposal.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a bill into law in April making the tax increase possible, allowing Kent County and other government bodies to ask voters to increase hotel taxes to help fund sports and entertainment projects in Grand Rapids like the Acrisure Amphitheater, a proposed soccer stadium, and a possible aquarium.
Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss spoke on the importance of the passage of the proposal.
“If we’re going to continue to move forward in our city and have positive momentum, we need to have spaces and places like this where people come together and they can have these shared experiences.”
Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce Vice President of Government Affairs Joshua Lunger also expressed his support for the tax increase.
“There’s a lot of great work still ahead, but it really is a next big leap for regional growth here in Kent County.”
The Kent County Commission will vote on increasing the lodging tax and how best to allocate it at a future Board of Commissioners meeting.
