SUBJECT:
Title
Request Approval of Tourist Development Council Funding Requests for Marketing Assistance Funding Program Reimbursements for (Budget Impact - Neutral; expenditure of $17,567.57)
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. The Marketing Assistance Program is designed to enable tourism-related businesses in Marion County to enhance their marketing opportunities leveraged with the Ocala/Marion County destination brand. These programs were recommended for funding by the TDC at their regularly scheduled meeting on August 27, 2026. To facilitate funding for all eligible candidates, award amounts were pro-rated.
Fort King National Historic Landmark $2,702.70
Fort McCoy Meat, LLC DBA Fort McCoy Ranch $3,378.38
ORBG, LLC DBA Oak Room Bar and Grill $3,378.38
Santos Bike Shop $3,378.38
Workspace Collective, LLC (1st Ave) $3,378.38
Workspace Collective, LLC (Fort King) $1,351.35
BUDGET/IMPACT:
Neutral; expenditure of $17,567.57, from CP155552-548101.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Recommended action
Motion to approve the Tourist Development Council funding requests and authorize the Chairman and Clerk to execute the attached funding agreements, taking into consideration that Christopher Fernandez, owner/operator of Santos Bike Shop, currently serves as a TDC Advisory Board member.
end