Subject:
Title
Board Direction, Re: Tourist Development Council (TDC) FY 2024-25 Cultural and Sports Grant Programs (or Marketing Support Program) - Funding, Guidelines, Applications, and Scoresheets.
End
Fiscal Impact:
FY 2024-25 cycle:
• Option #1 - $240,000 for the Sports Grant Program, Marketing fund 1441/293050 and $600,000 for the Cultural Event Grant Program, Cultural fund 1446/293020 collected by the Tourism Development Tax as directed by the Board, or
• Option #2 - $840,000 for the Marketing Support Program, $240,000 from Marketing fund 1441/293050 and $600,000 from the Cultural Event Grant Program, Cultural fund 1446/293020 collected by the Tourism Development Tax as directed by the Board.
• Option #3 - Other options based on Board guidance.
Dept/Office:
Tourism Development Office
Requested Action:
Recommendation
It is requested the Brevard County Board of County Commissioners provide direction regarding the Tourist Development Council FY 2024-25 Cultural and Sports Grant Programs Funding, Guidelines, Application and Scoresheets.
• Option #1: Utilize Standard Cultural and Sports grant programs, which was unanimously approved by the TDC at the March 27, 2024, meeting with changes listed;
• Option #2: Implement TDO Marketing Support Program. This option was also unanimously approved by the TDC and is similar to what was discussed by the Board last year;
• Option #3: Other direction as provided by the Board.
It is also requested that the Board approve funding of $840,000 for the FY 2024-25 Cultural and Sports Grant Program applications which shall come before the Board for final approval as the grant application cycle commences.
Further, based on the facts specified, by approving this agenda item, the Board will make the legislative finding that Tourist Development Tax funds are authorized for sports grants pursuant to Section 125.0104(5)(a)3., Florida Statutes, and Section 102-119(3)a, (5)a, and (6)a. of the Brevard County Code of Ordinances and Cultural grants pursuant to Section 125.0104(5)(a)3., Florida Statutes, and Section 102-119(3)d. of the Brevard County Code of Ordinances. Each of the tourist-oriented sports and special events have, as one of its main purposes, the attraction of tourists; the entity and the Space Coast Office of Tourism both intend to ensure marketing and promotion of these events to tourists.
Additionally, request authority for the Director, Tourism Development Office, to negotiate and sign all necessary agreements and related documents upon County Attorney’s Office, Risk Management and Central Services approval and authorize the County Manager to execute necessary budget change requests.
End
Summary Explanation and Background:
Option #1: Utilize Standard Cultural and Sports grant programs, which was unanimously approved by the TDC at the March 27, 2024, meeting with changes listed;
The Cultural Event Grant Program is administered by the Tourism Development Office to provide for:
• Tourist oriented cultural and special events such as visual and performing arts including theater, concerts, recitals, opera, dance, art exhibits, festivals and other tourist related activities.
• Promote Brevard County as a cultural destination to both visitors and residents.
• Make a positive impact on Brevard County Tourism.
• Enhance the Space Coasts cultural sector through increased event and marketing support for the benefit of visitors and residents and;
• Build awareness of the arts in the County.
Reimbursements up to $50,000 are available for qualifying grants, funding determined by measurement of out of county attendance.
At the Cultural Committee meeting on March 26, 2024, and the Tourist Development Council at their March 27, 2024 meeting members voted unanimously to approve the FY 2024-25 Cultural Event Program Budget of $600,000 and the Cultural Event Grant Program Guidelines and Application with the changes listed below:
Cultural Event Grant Program Changes
1. Change the name of the “Cultural Support Grant Program” to “Cultural Event Grant Program” throughout the document.
2. Change Fiscal Year from “2023-2024” to “2024-2025”
3. Update appropriate deadlines throughout the document.
4. Update schedule accordingly in Section 4.0 Application Process and Key Dates.
5. Update language in Section 5.0 Eligibility to accommodate the non-profit and for-profit application submissions.
6. Update language to lower minimum attendance to 1,000 per event and corresponding grant award.
7. Update 6.0 Available Funds award amounts and clarify the requirement of at least 50% of the award amount must be spent on out-of-county advertising/marketing.
8. Establishes the use of the Cultural Event Grant checklist for application packets.
The Sports Grant Program is to provide grants to:
1. Assist the County in attracting and growing high quality competitive events.
2. Generate significant economic impact through participant and spectator spending and hotel revenue.
3. Promote Brevard County through market reach.
At the Sports Committee Meeting on March 13, 2024, members voted unanimously to approve the Sports Grant Program Guidelines and Application with the changes listed below:
Sports Event Grant Program Changes
1. Change the name of the “Sports and Events Grant Program” to “Sports Grant Program”.
2. Established one yearly grant cycle beginning on October 1 and ending on September 30.
3. Eliminated Attachment B (Sports Event Grant Program Score Sheet) in favor of a majority vote.
4. Created the Tier 2 category for sports grants. Tier 2 sports grants are available for funding year-round. To be eligible for a Tier 2 sports grant:
a. Venues must be located within Brevard County.
b. Minimum number of 120 coaches, players and fans must stay in accommodations that collect Brevard County Tourist Development tax to qualify.
c. Accommodation stays must pay Tourist Development tax.
d. Event must have a minimum of 120 players, coaches, and fans to qualify.
e. Event must have a minimum of three days of competition - e.g., Friday night start with a Sunday afternoon end.
f. Event organizer must provide a rental agreement for the venue.
g. Event organizer must provide teams’ invoices from hotels.
5. Tier 2 sports grant funding may be used for the following:
h. Venue Rental
i. Equipment/Goal Rental or Usage Fee
j. Field or Court Maintenance
k. Field or Court Staff
l. Field or Court Materials
m. Officials’ Fees
6. Establishes the use of the Sports Grant checklist for application packets.
7. Question number one of the sports grant application will determine if the applicant is a Tier 1 or Tier 2 event.
8. Question number nineteen will inquire about the E-Verify enrollment status of each applicant.
Option #2: Implement TDO Marketing Support Program. This option was also unanimously approved by the TDC and is similar to what was discussed by the Board last year;
The Marketing Support Program is a program administered by the Tourism Development Office intended to provide support to events and year-round programming. For qualified events or year-round programming, the Marketing Support Program will provide:
• Out of county advertising and marketing
• Or defray the cost of renting event venues or facilities operated by Brevard County or
• Offer a sponsorship for sport events that do not require out-of-county advertising and marketing in the amount of eligible funding as designated in Section 6.0
Support of up to $50,000 is available for qualifying grants and funding is determined by the measurement of out-of-county attendance or room night production.
Option #3: Other direction as provided by the Board.
Clerk to the Board Instructions:
Please return a memo of the Board’s action to the Tourism Development Office and CAO.