Wawa's struck a deal regarding administration of its "Municipal Accommodation Tax".
A joint release from the Municipality of Wawa and the Superior East Community Futures Development Corporation says they've entered into an agreement for the CFDC "to act as a third-party entity responsible for receiving and administering 50 percent of eligible [MAT] funds", with "an experienced MAT Committee [to] be formed consisting of Motel and Short-Term Accommodation operators, representatives from the tourism sector, and a municipal appointee", while the funds are "used to support tourism-related activities, marketing campaigns, and infrastructure improvements that benefit both residents and visitors".
Wawa Municipal Council approved the MAT - a 4% surcharge on stays at hotels, motels, airBnBs, and Bed and Breakfasts - in September 2024, but delayed implementation until April 2025 - per provincial rules, half of the funds go to Municipal coffers but can only be used for "tourism-related purposes", while a 3rd party entity needed to be selected for the other half.
The Superior East CFDC serves the same role for Chapleau's Municipal Accommodation Tax, as approved in September 2022.