Due to the drop in Tourist Development Tax revenue as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Broward County Board of County Commissioners has temporarily suspended this program until fiscal year 2022, or until such time that revenues allow for its reinstatement.
The Tourist Development Tax (TDT) is a local sales tax, authorized and governed by Florida Statute 125.0104. It is sometimes referred to as resort tax, bed tax, local option tourist tax or transient rental tax. The Broward County Tourist Development Tax Rate is 6 percent.
Periodically, Broward County receives requests for financial assistance from local municipalities or non-profit organizations (NPOs) to support capital projects using proceeds from this tax. If an applicant is seeking capital funds and is otherwise ineligible under the County’s existing Cultural Division Grants Program solicitations, the following guidance must be followed.
The Tourist Development Tax (TDT) is a local sales tax, authorized and governed by Florida Statute 125.0104. In 1980, Broward County Ordinance #80-70 authorized by the Board of County Commissioners to levy and impose a two percent (2%) TDT. Periodically, Broward County receives requests for financial assistance from local municipalities or NPOs to support capital projects using proceeds from this tax. If an applicant is seeking capital funds and is otherwise ineligible under the County’s existing Cultural Division Grants Program solicitations, the following guidance must be followed.
Any award and expenditures of tourist development tax funds must comply with the express authorized use(s) of such funds pursuant to Florida Statutes Section 125.0104. Applicants shall ensure that the proposed use(s) and, if awarded, the actual use of the tourist development tax funds are expressly permitted by Section 125.0104, and shall provide documentation sufficient to substantiate same to County upon request.
What may be funded
(A) Project funds may be used to acquire, construct, extend, enlarge, remodel, repair, improve, or maintain tourist-oriented facilities, including convention centers, sports stadiums, sports arenas, coliseums, auditoriums, aquariums, or museums that are publicly owned and operated, or owned and operated by NPOs and open to the public, within the boundaries of Broward County. (B) Applicants must demonstrate how the projects will enhance Broward County as a tourist destination and thereby generate hotel and motel (lodging) “bed nights”. © The maximum amount award may not exceed $500,000. (D) Applicants must provide matching funds via cash contributions in a minimum ratio of 2:1. (e) Project timelines may not exceed three (3) years from notification of award from the County.
See guidelines for specific application and reporting requirements.
Eligibility
(A)(1) Must be a NPO qualified to do business in Florida. (2) Which is has tax-exempt status under Section 501© subsections (3), (4), (5), (6) or (7) of the Internal Revenue Code. (3) A copy of the most recent IRS determination letter must accompany the application, to confirm tax-exempt status. (4) Which has a governing board which meets regularly and operates under a set of bylaws, and has fifty percent (50%) of governing board members residing in Broward County (5) Which must have a bank checking account confirmed at the time of application. (6) Whose principal office address, as recorded in the Secretary of State’s Office, is in Broward County with a minimum of one (1) full-time staff position in that office.
(B) A public entity located primarily in Broward County, which is a municipality, state government agency, or political subdivision of state government, or sovereign Native American Nation; however, evidence of impact on countywide tourism and economic development must be demonstrable.
(C) Applicants may not have received TDT Capital Challenge Grant funding from Broward County in the previous five (5) years.
(D) A consortium or alliance or organizations may apply for a challenge incentive; however, all members of the consortium or alliance must meet all eligibility requirements.
One (1) organization must be the lead applicant. (E) An applicant can receive only one (1) TDT Capital Challenge Grant award during any five-year period and never again for the same project.
All applicants must submit detailed business plans, financial reports and other information that clearly demonstrate the following for the organization:
- Sufficiency of marketing plan/strategy.
- Scope and reach of organization.
- Community need.
- Number of projected hotel room nights generated annually within the boundaries of Broward County.
- Contribution to Broward County’s reputation as an attractive destination for tourists.
- Organizational capacity and financial stability of applicant(s).
- Appropriate documentation of all funding sources (e.g., cash match and other).
