SUBJECT:
Title
Request Approval of Tourist Development Council Funding Request for Bid Fee for JLC Airshow Management LLC for the Wings Over Ocala Airshow for 2026 and 2027 (Budget Impact - Neutral; expenditure of $200,000 total, $100,000 per event year)
Body
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INITIATOR: |
DEPARTMENT: |
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Loretta Shaffer, Director |
Tourist Development |
DESCRIPTION/BACKGROUND:
The Tourist Development Council (TDC) seeks funding approval for organizations that have festivals, events, or programs which support the TDC’s mission of growing the economy and accelerating prosperity in Marion County through effective destination sales and marketing. This funding contract is for the Wings Over Ocala Florida Airshow hosted by JLC Airshow Management LLC to be held May 2026 and May 2027 at the Ocala International Airport. The estimated economic impact for this event is $4,509,024 and is anticipated to produce a 19% return on investment. This event was recommended for funding by the TDC at their regularly scheduled meeting on April 25, 2023, and subsequently approved by the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) on June 20, 2023. The 2025 event scheduled for May was cancelled due to Ocala/Marion County not being selected to host the event. An updated agreement is being presented to the BCC for approval of the TDC recommendation of funding for the 2026 and 2027 events in the amount of $100,000 per event year.
BUDGET/IMPACT:
Neutral; expenditure of $200,000 total, $100,00 per event year. Funding from CP155552-548101.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Recommended action
Motion to approve the Tourist Development Council funding request and authorize the Chairman and Clerk to execute attached funding agreement. Approval of this agreement is an acknowledgement that the event promotes tourism in the State of Florida and one of its primary purposes is the attraction of tourists.end