[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6146037,"mediaKeyId","5528494-b0c91ff9295ad439a68f35ceb3a3edfc","parentId",5528494,"title","Flagler tourism council approves most FY‑20 grant requests, debates new scoring, denies several repeat awards","audioSeconds",7574,"startMs",311000,"endMs",7885000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5528494-b0c91ff9295ad439a68f35ceb3a3edfc&start=311&end=7885","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5528494-b0c91ff9295ad439a68f35ceb3a3edfc/thumbnail_311000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6146037/Flagler-County/Florida/Flagler-tourism-council-approves-most-FY20-grant-requests-debates-new-scoring-denies-several-repeat-awards","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6146037-7bba80ce159072c4014e86f5736f5677/orig.mp4?Expires=1775129748&Signature=mhYTzb-xxRP1yDnC4bQYbQS3TnWQz0RH8edmtiKwvhf0BLUfQdfNWBSbIOi3rVt0Cxq1m1fH5xsYrcyRwIo4yiXYzRcVDrFu1A74lZqiw-un-z-tXleNBtKYdI3SKA6ws~xyaTcuHjNEW-NZjNojrnZ5uTnJtiwlkkU4Ll~h373~EJ99XMH-mhQ-81IMrtUf7UGzRZl2-DlTb6pO9BvvVLg84w2pHfLEtUeA4m5hKNAFoWazcfaAYeq03Glsopf5gC-3jCbkvZzuwxRE2snOtiA6ejQKmTdE5flBBzQAYktsdmB4-~colE71NYlgDJ1F97CrigVcSYjvubF-RbfO1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Flagler County, FL","date","2025-08-05T05:18:07.467Z","article","The Flagler County Tourist Development Council on July 18 approved a slate of FY‑20 grant requests for regional drive‑market and overnight‑stay events, while members pressed staff to add a scoring system and limits on repeat awards after criticizing application quality and applicant sustainability.

Council members approved most of the overnight‑stay applications that presented verified hotel room blocks and denied or voted down several regional drive‑market requests where members worried the subsidy unduly supported for‑profit businesses or long‑running events. Amy (TDC staff) told the council the regional drive‑market pot for FY‑20 is $22,500 and overnight‑stay funding is $75,000; staff also noted the board’s budget had not yet been approved by the clerk and commission.

The action matters because the grants are meant to steer visitors into “heads and beds” and produce a measurable return to local lodging and restaurant revenue. Council members repeatedly said they want clearer evidence of overnight stays or a plan by applicants to graduate from drive‑market subsidy to self‑sustaining overnight events.

Amy summarized the program and application standards at the start of the grant review. “There is currently not a vetting process for staff to bring to you,” she told the council, and she proposed staff would present a point‑scoring rubric and a recommended three‑year transition policy during the TDC strategic planning process in September. Chair and members supported adding a “significant deduction” in scores for events that have repeatedly requested funds year after year.

On votes: the council denied the Flagler Broadcasting “Hot & Spicy” request by a 4–4 tie after debate over whether a for‑profit broadcaster’s donated advertising constituted a public benefit; it approved Flagler Beach Historical Museum “Cheer at the Pier” (motion passed 7–1); approved the Ocean’s 50 relay (passed 5–2 with 1 abstention); approved Friends of A1A’s Spoonbills & Sprockets cycling tour; and approved education and sport events that demonstrated verifiable room blocks or broader economic impact. Several applications were withdrawn or returned funds when applicants later cancelled events.

Council members stressed post‑event verification. Amy said overnight grants are reimbursable: “They have to come back to us and prove how they spent the money,” and verified room nights must be submitted before payment to the clerk. Staff reiterated that applicants are required to meet with TDC staff within 60 days after their events and provide cancelled checks and back‑up for advertising expenses.

Several applicants described their local economic contributions during the hearing: David Ayers of Flagler Broadcasting said his station donates radio ad time and that gate revenue for Hot & Spicy goes to the Florida Agricultural Museum; Carrie Ming described the Ocean’s 50 relay as a largely self‑funded community event that nonetheless draws out‑of‑county participants; and Walter Ennis of Continuing Education said his recurring medical conferences bring doctors and families who spend multiple nights in county hotels.

The council also recorded two process updates: three previously approved grants were returned to fund balances after applicants cancelled or did not seek reimbursement, and staff said they will present a formal point‑rating rubric and recommended term limits for drive‑market support during strategic planning.

Less urgent items handled at the meeting included routine minutes and financial reports, and a number of smaller grants that drew brief discussion about sustainability and measurable ROI. The council scheduled follow‑up reporting and said staff would return with draft scoring language and an implementation timeline ahead of the September strategic planning session.

A full roll call of motions, individual vote tallies and next steps appears below.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Tourist Development Council 7/17/2019","oneSentenceSummary","The Flagler County Tourist Development Council on July 18 approved most FY‑20 grant requests tied to tourism events while pressing staff to create a formal scoring system and limits on repeat awards after members criticized application quality and sustainability.","taxTitle","Flagler County, Florida","taxId",2877,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6146029,"Flagler Beach business owners ask TDC for coordinated marketing and a billboard to boost short trips",155,8285000,8440000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5528494-b0c91ff9295ad439a68f35ceb3a3edfc&start=8285&end=8440","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5528494-b0c91ff9295ad439a68f35ceb3a3edfc/thumbnail_8285000.jpg","/articles/6146029/Flagler-County/Florida/Flagler-Beach-business-owners-ask-TDC-for-coordinated-marketing-and-a-billboard-to-boost-short-trips","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6146029-0eaccea762809ab8cce6a057329752c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775129748&Signature=bRauwvAG3dy~q-NQZD2E1svynK~Eg9dMQ-4NaRX~70su8jdxL1-sCf2m9TCKCH7HDNGgTMCtZ0ydtralgGV-8tbuW5J6Pho8RLXfpgij4YxsvkqZuUlVzCuyAe4laNMvAsXB-qRgUQGvlt-nHbNRxylKW4GmMDEnBdLYEXnMxbtxJ5yWG0UZkoBGSkVO32TM2yXvFq31iMAVyVPxDR9mZO7PAozBg65pGFvew5z~G6KzW3Pt6y4rTJYOzFUz3StmqX-f1~GeOSgOjpLRsihet9ELs9m-nACMi9GKRt1Tdjuvx4F7lmKG9pfvJRoQgkPU8vVPtrrbn7rZ8hJd8Y0Ylw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A group of Flagler Beach business owners on July 18 asked the Flagler County Tourist Development Council for coordinated marketing help — including use of county billboard inventory — to draw short‑trip visitors from nearby markets.

Restaurant owner Scott Fox and co‑owner Paul Chestnut said they have organized a nascent Flagler Beach merchants group to “unify businesses with one voice” after road construction and Hurricane recovery depressed customer traffic for some local businesses. “We have such a hidden gem,” Fox told the council during the public‑comment period, and he urged the TDC to help brand Flagler Beach as an accessible beach destination for two‑day or overnight trips from Orlando, Tampa and other nearby metro areas.

Amy (TDC staff) said she and staff would meet with the merchants group after the summer season and coordinate next steps. Council members encouraged the group to meet with TDC staff and the Chamber to draft a marketing plan and identify low‑cost promotional tactics that could drive hotel and restaurant stays.

The merchants said they want to leverage partners and existing TDC channels rather than duplicate effort, and emphasized simple measures — clear signage, promo codes for lodging, and a targeted social and radio push into Central Florida markets. The TDC chair asked staff to follow up and offer technical assistance to the group.","A newly forming Flagler Beach merchants group asked the Tourist Development Council for help promoting Flagler Beach to nearby markets, urging coordinated outreach and signage to drive one‑ and two‑night visits during and after local construction impacts.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6146033,"Palm Coast’s Tech Beach Hackathon approval seeks 200 coders to solve health‑care problems",332,4890000,5222000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5528494-b0c91ff9295ad439a68f35ceb3a3edfc&start=4890&end=5222","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5528494-b0c91ff9295ad439a68f35ceb3a3edfc/thumbnail_4890000.jpg","/articles/6146033/Flagler-County/Florida/Palm-Coasts-Tech-Beach-Hackathon-approval-seeks-200-coders-to-solve-healthcare-problems","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6146033-2c894c0785e66ba6073bfb144b0d4fc1/orig.mp4?Expires=1775129748&Signature=YSBDZ3TWlWzpQPmBk3ZZxlAgnKNJyIVkgnkEv1nDw6eE1~E993xUvNhsR-w915CfMMbOKo0iP5EzVXHFeKvN-4LPHPafiGlq0a3jQl0FmbGgzKtj2~L4lRUvQK3iPWgtukv9R~Dhoc2xt8IVzgfZyjDNNfiQl0-wdshaCuNHU~l~uzXFHd2U2f2RHOUaIlxWkQpfkrzd9XmaKPt~BQrEFMEZDRTzj9d27rmrFM3fFPLitUHKwNMGFVW3kgPkDXmyPLgmWdNYy0hgbUvAxh9tuJOoj4aSZEHqZXr6ntANLpaWqw0FmgGPTKgcVlPuDolX~it-M9tWobm2Z1MYsKjlzQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Flagler County Tourist Development Council voted to approve a $2,500 grant to the City of Palm Coast for a Tech Beach Hackathon scheduled for Jan. 17–19, 2020.

Organizers said the event will be a 24‑hour hackathon for software developers, programmers and professionals focused on solving real‑world problems — particularly health‑care technology needs using Salesforce and related platforms. Taylor Campo of the City of Palm Coast said the kickoff will be held at Central Park with local vendors and activities so participants and families can sample the community.

Brandon Washington, another city representative, told the council organizers expect as many as 200 participants and that AdventHealth and other Innovation District partners are expected to participate. The city also seeks to use the hackathon to promote the Palm Coast Innovation District and create networking opportunities that could attract small tech companies to local office space.

The council chair noted the city council member and Hoteliers with room blocks recused from voting as required. The project was approved with a motion and second; the city will track hotel room blocks and report verified room nights as part of the usual reimbursement and post‑event verification process.

The TDC approved the grant with the understanding that the event’s organizers will coordinate room blocks and follow the established post‑event documentation process for overnight‑stay grants.","The TDC approved a $2,500 grant request for the City of Palm Coast to host a Tech Beach Hackathon Jan. 17–19, 2020, aimed at bringing programmers and health‑care partners to the Palm Coast Innovation District and promoting local tech and health‑care workforce connections.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Flagler tourism council approves most FY‑20 grant requests, debates new scoring, denies several repeat awards

Flagler Beach business owners ask TDC for coordinated marketing and a billboard to boost short trips

Palm Coast’s Tech Beach Hackathon approval seeks 200 coders to solve health‑care problems