Iowa Code r. 261-215.6 - Application process

(1) Applications for assistance under the program shall be submitted to the authority. For those applications that meet the threshold application requirements and the eligibility criteria, the authority shall forward the applications to the board and provide a staff review analysis and evaluation to the sports tourism program review committee and to the board.

(2) All applications to the authority for financial assistance shall be made at least 90 days prior to a sporting event's scheduled date.

(3) When reviewing the applications, the review committee and the authority shall consider, at a minimum, all of the following:

a. Impact of the project on the local, regional, and state economies. Economic impact will be determined by using the following calculation: Applicants will estimate the number of hotel room nights generated by each proposed sporting event and multiply the number of estimated hotel room nights by the average daily room rate for Iowa hotels. The average daily room rate will be provided by the authority based on information obtained from a hotel market data service. Intentionally inflated estimates of attendance or a history of providing inaccurate estimates will negatively affect the scoring of an application.

b. Potential to attract Iowans and out-of-state visitors. Projects that market or promote a sporting event that is new to Iowa will receive a higher score. Established events will receive a lower score.

c. Amount of positive advertising or media coverage the project generates.

d. Quality, size, and scope of the project.

e. Ratio of public-to-private investment.

f. The extent to which the sporting event to be marketed or promoted is unique, innovative, or diverse.

(4) Upon review of the recommendations of the review committee, the board shall make final funding decisions on each application. The board may approve, defer, deny, or modify applications for financial assistance under the program, in its discretion, in order to fund as many projects with the moneys available as possible. The board and the authority may negotiate with applicants regarding the details of projects and the amount and terms of any award. In making final funding decisions pursuant to this subrule, the board and the authority are exempt from Iowa Code chapter 17A.

Notes

Iowa Code r. 261-215.6

ARC 2980C, IAB 3/15/17, effective 4/19/17; ARC 6107C, IAB 12/29/21, effective 12/2/21

Adopted by IAB March 15, 2017/Volume XXXIX, Number 19, effective 4/19/2017 Amended by IAB December 29, 2021/Volume XLIV, Number 13, effective 12/2/2021