Ten local events got a second chance to vie for a total of $45,250 in the 2015-16 Community Events and Activity Grant funding cycle, following the Turlock City Council’s decision in June to go back and refine the grant’s eligibility criteria and application process.

These changes, which were recommended by the Community Grant Ad Hoc Subcommittee and supported by the Council, include capping the maximum award amount at $5,000 instead of $10,000 and narrowing down the score sheets used by Commissioners in order to give each question more weight.

Staff was directed to apply the updated eligibility criteria and application to the 2015-16 Community Event and Activities Grant funding cycle. The grant money is generated from the Transient Occupancy Tax, or more commonly known as a hotel tax, and helps funds events like the fireworks show and Fourth of July parade and community organizations, like the Turlock Community Theatre.

Illicit Car and Truck Club applied for a $5,000 grant for the 2016 Bring the Ruckus Car Show and Concert, which is projected to bring in anywhere from 300 to 500 attendees, including an estimated 25 to 50 attendees from out of town. The estimated direct economic impact for the event is $35,000 from day visitors and $2,250 from overnight visitors.

“Out of those that came and attended the show last year, the hard numbers were five from the state of Idaho, three from Vegas, three from Oregon and two from Arizona, which all utilized our restaurants and our hotels,” said Illicit Car and Truck Club President and Founder Yeshi Wisniewski.

If granted, the funding will go towards securing Stanislaus County Fairgrounds for the event location, as well as entertainment.

California State University, Stanislaus applied for $5,000 for the Tournament of Champions, which is estimated to bring in upwards of 1,200 attendees, with more than 1,000 guests coming from out of town. The estimated direct economic impact for the event is $14,000 from day visitors and $150,000 from overnight visitors. If approved, the grant will help cover the cost of the event.

For an event that is expected to have a total attendance of 2,000, MD Event Productions and Art Expressions of San Joaquin requested $5,000 for the 2016 Central Valley Brewfest. The event is estimated to have a direct economic impact between $30,000 and $40,000 from day visitors and $8,000 to $12,000 for overnight visitors. If granted, the funding will be used for radio and social media advertising, increased facility rental rates, additional security and additional restrooms.

“We’re getting requests from large breweries that want to come from Oregon and Nevada, so I think it is definitely going to be a big success again,” said Veronica Camp, founder and organizer of Central Valley Brewfest. “I think as the years go on and the word spreads, we’re just getting bigger and better.”

The Carnegie Arts Center applied for $3,250 for the Carnegie Centennial Celebration, which is expected to draw in 400 total attendees, with an estimated direct economic impact of $6,500. If approved, the grant will go towards supporting a community-wide event that aims to celebrate the building of Turlock’s historic Carnegie Library.

The Assyrian Church of the East requested $5,000 for the Assyrian Festival, which is projected to bring in 10,000 attendees, including an estimated 3,000 from out of town. The estimated direct economic impact is $15,000 from day visitors and $5,000 from overnight visitors. If approved, the grant will be used to promote and educate the public about the Assyrian culture with food, exhibits, vendors, a carnival, and kid zone.

For an event that is estimated to bring in 500 out-of-town attendees and an expected overall attendance of 5,000 guests, WGAS Motorsport Entertainment, LLC applied for $3,500 for the 2016 Monster Truck Spring Nationals. The estimated direct economic impact is $196,000 from day visitors and $10,500 from overnight visitors. If granted, the funding will be used to help cover the cost of promoting the event and the City of Turlock.

“I think there’s a lot of money that’s brought into the city from this and really what you’re asking for is less than 5 percent of your budget, which I think is an extremely low amount when the return is extremely high,” said Commissioner Brent Bohlender.

The Turlock Journal and MNC requested $3,500 for the Second Annual Central Valley Senior Showcase, which is estimated to draw in 900 attendees, with 90 coming from out of town. The projected direct economic impact is $31,500 from day visitors and $6,750 from overnight visitors. If approved, the grant will be used to organize and hold the showcase, which is a pair of exhibition basketball games featuring senior all-stars from high school basketball teams.

The Turlock Downtown Property Owners Association applied for $5,000 in funding for the 16th Annual Festival of Lights, which is estimated to have a total attendance between 3,000 and 8,000 individuals, 300 to 2,400 of which are projected to come from out of town. The direct economic impact is estimated between $21,000 to $56,000 from day visitors and $45,000 to $360,000 from overnight visitors.

If approved, the funding will go towards a full-scale marketing campaign complete with banners, radio, online, posters, and a special print publication. Additionally, the grant will help cover event costs, such as insurance, set up and clean up.

The Assyrian American Civic Club requested $5,000 for the 49th Assyrian State Convention, which is expected to bring in anywhere from 3,000 to 5,000 individuals, with 1,500 to 2,000 guests from out of town. The direct economic impact is estimated at anywhere between $210,000 to $350,000 from day visitors and $450,000 to $750,000 from overnight visitors. If granted, the funding will be used to reserve parks and pay for transportation.

For an event that is estimated to bring in 3,000 overall attendees, with more than half expected to come from out of town, the American Cowboys Team Roping Association applied for $5,000 for the ACTRA California Chapter State Finals. The estimated direct economic impact is $63,000 from day visitors and $405,000 from overnight visitors. Pending approval, the funding will be used to help pay for facilities.

The Commission scored the respective events upon the conclusion of each presentation and their evaluation sheets will be submitted to the City Council. The Council will make the final determination on funding awards at 6 p.m. during their Sept. 8 meeting.