$57 million BP money to promote gulf tourism
SRIA wins grant to promote eco-tourism trail
Santa Rosa Island Authority was notified today that it will be awarded a $500,000 grant from a $57 million BP Gulf Tourism and Seafood Promotional Fund. The SRIA applied for the grant in October with a goal to develop an ecotourism trail and to promote ecotourism.
W. A. "Buck" Lee, Island Authority executive director, said he has notified the board by email about award. Board chairman Dave Pavlock will lead a discussion on how to implement the grant at the Nov. 14 board meeting.
Patrick A. Juneau, Deepwater Horizon Claims Administrator, said in an email that a member of a Promotional Fund Administrative Team will be contacting Lee soon about the requirements and disbursement of the grant.
The fund is being administered by the Deepwater Horizon Economic Claims Center in New Orleans, which is managing the disbursement of BP fine money from the 2010 oil spill disaster.
The fund is strictly aimed at providing dollars to public agencies, chambers of commerce, nonprofits, and other entities for tourism and seafood marketing and promotions. No more than $500,000 will be granted per year to an applicant.
The E.W. Bullock firm developed the grant proposal with the help of Lila Cox, a Pensacola Beach Advocates member, and Beverly McCay, a former longtime beach resident and general manager of Holiday Inn Express. Both woman are involved in sea turtle conservation and eco-friendly initiatives on the beach.
Goals of the project include: countering negative publicity remaining after the oil spill; boosting tourism in the off season; and building the foundation of a new marketing strategy with a smartphone app.
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