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Tourist Development Council expands and reopens grants twice a year; raises award caps
Summary
The council approved revisions to three grant programs on Sept. 10 that increase award sizes and move application windows to twice annually. Changes include higher award caps for special-event and collateral grants and a two-tier capital projects fund with a maximum allowance of 20% of project cost or $250,000.
The Tourist Development Council voted Sept. 10 to adopt revisions to three grant programs: a special-event marketing grant, a collateral materials grant and a capital projects funding grant. Motion to approve the combined revisions: Mike Engles; second: Lou Ann Jacobs. The motion passed unanimously.
Key changes approved by the council: - Special-event marketing grant: Option levels were raised; Option 1 (previously $750) increased to $2,000; Option 2 (previously $1,500) increased to $5,000. A larger tier became $10,000 (from $7,500) and the council specified that the largest awards will require room-night verification. - Collateral materials grant: award allotment increased to $2,500 (from roughly $1,500 previously) to help cover brochures and printed materials. - Capital projects funding grant (CPFG): two pathways were clarified. Projects requesting less than $50,000 will face fewer economic-impact and overnight-verification requirements; larger capital grants may be funded up to 20% of total project cost with a $250,000 maximum award. All capital grants will be paid on a reimbursable basis, and staff said MOUs can structure staged payments where appropriate.
Staff and board emphasized that the changes aim to make grant windows more useful for event producers and community partners. Previously the grant process opened only once a year, and applicants complained of missing a single window. The revised process opens twice yearly (January and July) so organizers can seek support nearer to event dates. Staff said the windows and full guidance will be published on the Discover Crystal River website and accompanied by a press release.
Board members asked that legal and staff oversight remain strong, and staff said the grants are prepared with legal review. The motion to approve the combined grant package passed unanimously.
