Escambia Tourist Development Council Approves $322,000 for Downtown Holiday Lights Amidst Funding Debate

The Escambia Tourist Development Council meeting on December 17th saw discussions on funding allocations, with attention given to a proposal for downtown holiday lights and a strategic collaboration for an artificial reef project. The Council approved $322,000 in funding for the annual City Light Festival from interest income funds, despite a divided stance among members on the appropriateness of using Tourist Development Tax (TDT) funds for beautification projects. Additionally, a collaborative initiative with Okaloosa County to create an artificial reef using the SS United States was highlighted, with potential tourism benefits and logistical challenges discussed.

The meeting’s most contentious topic involved the funding request for the Friends of Downtown Christmas Lights, who sought support for the annual City Light Festival. With a history of relying on contributions from local entities such as the Downtown Improvement Board and the City of Pensacola’s parking revenue, the group requested county assistance to maintain and expand the festive lighting. The proposal sparked debate over the use of TDT funds, with one council member expressing frustration over allocating tourism dollars for beautification instead of direct marketing efforts. They emphasized, “I think too many times we’re taking money from the TDT which is for tourist development and giving it… I just being on this board this year, my frustration has grown.”

Supporters of the funding argued that the aesthetic improvements could enhance the visitor experience and, by extension, tourism in the area. One council member noted, “I think that when you pay good tourist dollars to go to a place you want it to be beautiful and you want it to look like they spiff it up.” They suggested that beautification efforts could serve as a marketing tool to attract more tourists during the holiday season.

Conversely, another council member proposed that downtown businesses contribute a portion of their December sales to fund the lights, highlighting that similar efforts had previously succeeded without TDT support. They pointed out the emergence of hotels in the downtown area. In response, a motion was made and seconded to allocate $322,000 from interest income funds for the downtown lights, which passed with a majority vote despite one dissenting voice.

In another significant topic, the Council reconfirmed its collaborative effort with Okaloosa County to establish the SS United States as an artificial reef, a project poised to enhance diving tourism in the Gulf region. Darren Schaefer from Visit Pensacola presented the initiative, explaining that the Council had previously approved up to one million dollars for the project, dependent on the finalization of the ship’s location for sinking. The proposed site would position the SS United States approximately 21 miles from Destin Pass, offering diving opportunities between it and the USS Oriskany.

The project aims to attract divers, contributing to tourism growth in both counties. Schaefer emphasized the national and international interest in the initiative, underscoring its potential to elevate regional tourism marketing. Notably, the Council voted to acknowledge the transfer of $200,000 from Marine Resources to Visit Pensacola, specifically for marketing efforts related to shipwrecks, including the SS United States.

Public support for the reef initiative was voiced by Captain Andy Ross of Nai Dive Charters and Brady Hill from Ocean Strike Team, who highlighted the project’s potential to boost local tourism and economic activity. However, logistical challenges were acknowledged, with concerns about the ship’s transport timeline due to Coast Guard stability assessments, potentially delaying the project to late summer or early fall.

Beyond these discussions, the Council addressed a proposal for a three-day Wine and Food Festival set for March. The event, intended to coincide with a sailing race, promises to draw tourists and increase local hotel bookings. Presenters requested $250,000 to develop the festival, focusing on a robust marketing strategy to attract attendees and enhance the event’s future viability. The Council expressed enthusiasm for the proposal, recognizing its potential to invigorate local tourism.

Council members discussed the need for coordinated efforts to optimize tourism benefits, particularly in light of the upcoming wine festival and the GL52 race weekend.

Note: This meeting summary was generated by AI, which can occasionally misspell names, misattribute actions, and state inaccuracies. This summary is intended to be a starting point and you should review the meeting record linked above before acting on anything you read. If we got something wrong, let us know. We’re working every day to improve our process in pursuit of universal local government transparency.
Administrator:
Wes Moreno
Tourism Board Officials:
Jeff Bergosh, Mary Hoxeng, David M. Bear, Ronald D. Rivera, Shirley K. Cronley, James J. Reeves, Mitesh Patel, Casey Jones, Teniade Broughton

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