The Clay County Tourist Development Council on Jan. 7 approved multiple event grants intended to drive overnight stays and local spending, awarding $15,000 to the United Soccer Alliance showcase, two $13,500 grants to Inspire regional dance contests, and a $45,000 signature‑event reimbursement to the Clay County Fair.

The actions came after presentations from event organizers and staff. Matt Hollyoaks, executive director of United Soccer Alliance, described the showcase (boys Feb. 27–Mar. 1; girls in March) as a multi‑site tournament that in prior years has averaged about 250 teams, used roughly 12 hotels and produced last year’s 160 room nights and 309 games. The council voted to award the full $15,000 request. Hollyoaks said the event’s housing company is chosen privately by the association but that "we can put those stipulations on our housing company" to prioritize Clay County hotels.

Council members pressed organizers to ensure that contracted housing providers prioritize in‑county hotels; staff reiterated that grants under the reimbursement model require post‑event verification of heads‑and‑beds and receipts before final payment. The grants division will review and approve those post‑event reports, a staff condition the board discussed during the vote.

Stephanie Lam, tourism program manager, presented two separate grant applications from Inspire regional dance, one in March at the Thrasher Horn Center and one in April. Staff recommended $13,500 per event (the pair received $22,500 combined last year); the council approved the staff recommendations by voice vote.

For Clay County Fair, Stephanie said the application qualified as a signature‑event grant and, based on scoring and prior‑year data, recommended the full $45,000. The packet lists nearly 181,000 visitors over the fair period and projects room‑night impacts; under the current reimbursement approach, the fair must produce the required marketing receipts and room‑night documentation to receive funds. The board approved the full award.

Motions were made from the board during the meeting and passed by voice votes with affirmative responses recorded; no roll‑call tallies with named votes were included in the transcript. Following approvals, staff will implement the reimbursement checks and post‑event verification required by the grants process.

What’s next: staff will track claimed heads‑and‑beds and marketing receipts after each event and withhold final reimbursement until the grants division confirms the documentation meets grant conditions.