The Tourist Development Capital Projects Funding Program was created to process requests for tourist development tax funds to be used for capital projects.

The Lake County Tourist Development Tax was created to fund the promotion of tourism and attract tourists to visit Lake County. The Lake County Tourist Development Council was established to recommend to the Lake County Board of County Commissioners uses of the tourist development tax revenue in accordance with the Lake County Tourist Development Plan.

Some requirements that have to be met in order to be eligible for the Tourist Development Capital Project Funding Program include:

• Projects must be located within Lake County and serve to establish new or expand existing facilities for recreational activities, cultural events and performances that host and promote events in Lake County which will bring substantial numbers of overnight tourists/visitors to the County.
  
  
• Applicants must provide 51% cash match, or 25.5% cash match and 25.5% in-kind match of the budget for the total cost of an approved capital project. Examples of in-kind match are: donated goods and professional services, facilities, etc. Applicant must submit proof of other sources which, when combined, provide total funding for the full capital project. The applicant must meet further requirements as outlined in the Funding Agreement and as deemed necessary by the BCC.

There are no guarantees that applicants will be awarded funding. Even though a project may qualify, decisions regarding the award of the funds and the amount awarded are at the sole discretion of the Lake County Board of County Commissioners.

To learn more about Lake County’s Tourist Development Capital Projects Funding Program, please view the links below:

• General Information (objectives, funding, application process, eligibility, evaluation criteria, financial guidelines and reporting requirements)
• Funding application form and instructions
• Capital projects funding application
• Room night certification form

For questions regarding the Tourist Development Capital Projects Funding Program, contact the Office of Economic Development & Tourism at (352) 429-3673.