Flagler tourism board OKs $150K for Marineland Marina

The Flagler County Tourist Development Council spread the wealth Wednesday in approving 29 funding requests totaling $230,000, including $150,000 for the third phase of work on the Marineland Marina.

The marina has received a total of $450,000 in tourist development funds for the multiphase project. Money for the grants is generated through bed-tax collections from area hotels, campgrounds and short-term rental properties.

Marineland Mayor Leslie Babonis said redevelopment of the marina is but one of several things going on in Flagler County's smallest town. She noted Marineland Dolphin Adventure's 80th anniversary celebration this year, as well as a project at the Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience to build cottages to accommodate researchers at the University of Florida facility.

"A lot is going on in the town," Babonis said Wednesday.

The $150,000 grant, which still must be approved by Flagler County commissioners, would be used as matching funds for grants town officials have applied for to complete the third phase of the marina project, the centerpiece of which is a 300-foot floating dock.

"It would allow us to support more public access to the marina," Babonis said.

In addition to the new dock, Babonis said there are plans to build a pavilion where they can host events.

"We're trying to do more events," she said. "That's what phase three is all about."

Asked by tourist council member Tom Grimes about who's using the marina, Babonis said it is mostly for boaters passing through Flagler County.

"What we're really hoping to get with the floating dock is more day people," Babonis said. If the tourist council grant is approved, Babonis said the next step is getting more food service options in town for boaters and day visitors.

Advisory council members also asked about the marina's efforts to advertise the facility.

"Our marketing campaign is as organic as it gets," said dockmaster Chris Kelley.

He said word-of-mouth has been the main source of advertising and that puts a premium on keeping marina visitors happy.

"Customer service has been first and foremost," he said. "It's been incredibly well-received and has put us on the map."

The meeting produced some controversy when TDC chair and Flagler County Commissioner Greg Hansen questioned a $2,500 request by CAAM Events for the Flagler Fondo event.

"I question whether the TDC should be awarding grants to events making a lot of profit," he said, citing the budget submitted by the event organizer that showed a $26,000 profit. "We're just adding to the profit margin and I'm not sure why we're doing this."

Kim Carney, manager of the Flagler Fondo, said the event "made no money last year" and that the "profit" listed in the application materials was "just a budget."

Carney said the two-day coastal bicycling event generated 67 overnight stays last year, which is the goal of tourism development grants.

"It definitely does do what the spirit of the grant asks us to do," she said, adding that the profit listed in the budget is "just a goal, it's not an actual number."

That seemed to satisfy Hansen, who voted to approve the request along with the rest of the tourism board.

All of the grant requests approved by the TDC now must go to the County Commission for final approval.

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