The Florida Senate

288.017  Cooperative advertising matching grants program.--

(1)  The Florida Commission on Tourism is authorized to establish a cooperative advertising matching grants program and, pursuant thereto, to make expenditures and enter into contracts with local governments and nonprofit corporations for the purpose of publicizing the tourism advantages of the state. The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development, based on recommendations from the Florida Commission on Tourism, shall have final approval of grants awarded through this program. The commission may contract with its direct-support organization to administer the program.

(2)  The total annual allocation of funds for this grant program may not exceed $40,000. Each grant awarded under the program shall be limited to no more than $2,500 and shall be matched by nonstate dollars. All grants shall be restricted to local governments and nonprofit corporations serving and located in municipalities having a population of 50,000 persons or less or in counties with an unincorporated area having a population of 200,000 persons or less.

(3)  The Florida Commission on Tourism shall conduct an annual competitive selection process for the award of grants under the program. In determining its recommendations for the grant awards, the commission shall consider the demonstrated need of the applicant for advertising assistance, the feasibility and projected benefit of the applicant's proposal, the amount of nonstate funds that will be leveraged, and such other criteria as the commission deems appropriate. In evaluating grant applications, the office shall consider recommendations from the Florida Commission on Tourism. The office, however, has final approval authority for any grant under this section.

History.--s. 1, ch. 91-218; s. 31, ch. 96-320.