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TDC approves three event grants, tables feasibility funding request; minutes approved
Summary
The Clay County Tourist Development Council approved three event grants totaling $56,200 and tabled a request to transfer up to $130,000 for a hotel feasibility study, while also approving May 7 meeting minutes.
The Tourist Development Council took several formal actions on July 16, 2025:
- Orange Park Fall Festival — Approved a $15,000 event marketing grant to the Town of Orange Park for the 43rd annual fall festival. The application scored 90% on the staff scoring sheet. Staff said this award, if granted, will be charged to the FY2025–26 TDC grant budget. Motion to approve carried unanimously.
- Clay County Pro Rodeo — Approved a $25,000 sports/event grant for the Clay County Pro Rodeo scheduled for September at the fairgrounds. Staff reported prior-year attendance in Placer reporting of about 8,500 visitors and said organizers reported 600 presale out‑of‑county ticket buyers. The board voted to approve the full $25,000; this award comes from the current fiscal year grant balance.
- Hub Pickleball (Hub at Orange Park Country Club) — Approved the staff recommendation to award $16,200 for a multi‑day pickleball tournament at the new Hub facility. Staff reported the club has 24 courts (16 covered) and that an earlier opening weekend drew more than 300 participants from 23 states in May. The award was approved as recommended and charged to the current fiscal year grant fund.
- Funding agreement with Clay County Economic Development Corporation (hotel feasibility study, Phase 2) — The council received a briefing that Phase 1 of a hotel feasibility study produced a positive outcome and that the Board of County Commissioners had authorized phase 2 to proceed. The TDC was asked to authorize a reimbursement of up to $130,000 from TDC funds to the county for the Phase 2 study. After questions from several members seeking direct briefings from the EDC and noting the size and sensitivity of the request, a motion to table the funding request passed. Staff noted tabling will preserve funds in reserves and that the county can return to the TDC after EDC briefings.
- Approval of minutes from May 7, 2025 — The council approved the May 7 meeting minutes by motion and second at the opening of the July 16 meeting.
Staff confirmed the grant fund balance before the meeting was $85,005; after the awards approved at this meeting staff reported a projected remaining balance of approximately $43,805 for the current fiscal year. Staff also noted the tentative grant budget for 2025–26 is $250,000 and suggested the board meet in August to finalize grant parameters in time for county budget timelines.
Vote tallies were conducted by voice and were recorded in the meeting as motions carried (unanimous where indicated) or tabled; detailed roll‑call tallies were not read into the public record for each action.
