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County approves $1.3 million blockbuster grant for Eatonville Rising; town mayor asks for formal coordination
Summary
The Orange County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a $1.3 million, three‑year blockbuster and special-events grant to the Association to Preserve the Eatonville Community to support a six‑event Eatonville Rising series aimed at heritage tourism, while the town of Eatonville asked for formal vetting and logistical coordination before later payments are released.
Orange County commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to award the Association to Preserve the Eatonville Community (PEC) $1.3 million over three years to support “Eatonville Rising,” a six‑event cultural tourism series planned for 2027.
The Arts & Cultural Affairs Advisory Council and the Blockbuster & Special Events Committee recommended the grant after a multi-step vetting process that included preliminary presentations and fiscal reviews. County staff and United Arts will serve as fiscal agents and monitor payments. The Board’s action approved Year 1 funding for $689,261 with years 2 and 3 (about $600,740) contingent on program performance, reporting and sufficient fund balances in the Blockbuster & Special Events Fund.
County staff described Eatonville Rising as an integrated program that includes a national middle‑school competition with finals in Eatonville, a Pan African fashion and food expo, a commissioned exhibition (including a planned Kehinde Wiley piece), a cultural‑heritage tour series and a large arena heritage concert with an anticipated total attendance just over 50,000. PEC presented a funding plan that includes a pledge of around $600,000 in matching funds, sponsorships and earned revenue in later years.
Commissioners applauded the proposal as an opportunity to boost cultural tourism and to leverage county Tourist Development Tax revenues for cultural preservation and economic development. Commissioner Nicole Wilson emphasized the county’s long-term interest in using TDT and special-event funds to broaden tourism beyond theme parks and to invest in heritage tourism.
After approval the town of Eatonville’s mayor, Andrew Gardner, sent a letter to the board saying the town had not reviewed or approved any solicitation or application for funding and requested that applicants secure vetting and logistical approval from the town before events that would place “critical demand” on town staff or residents. Commissioners accepted that concern and the grant award was structured so that later-year payments are contingent on performance, reporting and confirmation of appropriate local coordination and logistics, county staff said.
Board members directed staff to work with PEC, the town and United Arts of Central Florida to document public‑safety, logistical and partner commitments before releasing years 2 and 3 funds, and to require routine interim reporting and expenditure detail from PEC.
