With bed tax collections up 14 percent so far this year, Flagler County’s spot on the tourism map is growing. But with more local organizations looking for funding assistance just midway through the year, the cupboard at the Tourist Development Council is nearly bare.
Tourist council board members will face the issue directly Wednesday with a $10,000 grant request from the Davidson Day School for the 9th annual Maya at the Playa conference set for September. But the TDC has just $5351.34 left in the 110 Fund coffers for special events.
Matt Dunn, vice president for tourism development at the Flagler County Chamber of Commerce, said he plans to ask the TDC to look at increasing the funding available for special events to help conference organizers.
“They have been a really good client in the past, so we want to look at some creative ways to potentially look at helping them with this year’s event,” he said. “Unfortunately, they applied late so we’re in a little bit of a pickle considering how much they have received in the past.”
The Maya at the Playa conference was created by former Matanzas High School teacher Mat Saunders, who has since moved to the Davidson Day School in North Carolina. The event has grown over the years and now is a four-day conference, Sept. 17-20.
Flagler County Commissioner Nate McLaughlin said it is important for organizations seeking tourism grants to plan ahead.
“As tourism grows in Flagler County, we expect that these organizations are going to have to be looking a year in advance to make sure they get into the funding cycle,” he said. “If the funds aren’t there, they can’t be awarded.”
Tourism council board members will also consider a $4,808 request from the Palm Coast Historical Society for operational and promotional expenses.
Bill Venne, a former Palm Coast city councilman who serves as vice president of the historical society, said the funds would be used to secure the organization’s collections and help with operation of the group’s museum in Holland Park, as well as to create informational materials for visitors.
“Part of the museum, when we discussed it with the city, was also to be a visitors center to make information about Palm Coast available to citizens,” Venne said.
The meeting begins at 10 a.m. in the board chambers of the Government Services Building, 1769 E. Moody Blvd., Bunnell.
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