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TDC approves three event grants and $130,000 EDC study funding; motions unanimous
Summary
The Tourist Development Council on Sept. 3 unanimously approved three reimbursable event grants totaling $42,500 and authorized up to $130,000 for an EDC feasibility/marketing study.
The Tourist Development Council took formal votes Sept. 3 on multiple grant awards and a funding agreement. All listed motions passed unanimously on voice votes without roll-call tallies.
Votes at a glance
- Approval of minutes for July 16, 2025 meeting: motion to approve carried unanimously. (Motion moved and seconded on the record; no roll-call recorded.)
- Moose Haven 15th Annual Chili Cook Off: council approved a reimbursable grant of $5,000 to Moose Haven for the November event; staff recommendation was to award the full amount. The applicant said the event typically brings about 6,000 attendees and projected additional room-night demand tied to Moose International staff and a ribbon-cutting; staff noted 180 room nights at the prior event and the applicant projected higher attendance this year.
- BNA Nightmare Flag Football Tournament: council approved a $12,500 reimbursable grant for a new two-day flag-football event to be held at the Regional Sports Complex (staff recommended $10,000 based on initial materials; the applicant secured a second day after applying and requested $12,500). Staff and Airstream Ventures described the promoter’s prior success in other markets and projected roughly 294 room nights and strong out-of-area participation.
- Hub Pickleball Florida–Georgia Classic: council approved a $25,000 reimbursable grant for the Hub facility’s multi-day pickleball tournament (Oct. 31–Nov. 2). Staff said the tournament is a recurring, large regional event and recommended $25,000; the applicant projected 250–500 room nights and described pro and junior divisions and additional spectator programming.
- Clay County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) feasibility and marketing study: council approved a funding agreement not to exceed $130,000 to support the EDC study. Staff and council members discussed that the study is a tool to attract development and that the expenditure does not guarantee future private development; the council recorded a unanimous vote to authorize the funding.
Outcomes and next steps
All grants are reimbursable and contingent on post-event deliverables and compliance with the county grants division; staff said Placer.ai data and post-event reporting will be used to validate outcomes prior to reimbursement. The FY 2025–26 grants pool was increased in staff materials to $325,000 to accommodate additional event funding requests. Council members asked staff to supply post-event room-night and Placer.ai summaries for future evaluation.
