County commissioners have approved “major event” grants totaling $73,000 for a Titusville air show and a Cocoa Beach powerboat race, hoping that the popular spectacles will bring more tourism to the region.
Commissioners voted 4-1 to approve grants for the Thunder on Cocoa Beach Super Boat Grand Prix powerboat race and the Space Coast International Air Show at Space Coast Regional Airport. Both events are scheduled for the same weekend in April.
Money for the grants comes from revenue raised by the county’s 5% tourist development tax on hotel rooms and other short-term rentals.
More:2022 Thunder on Cocoa Beach and Space Coast International Air Show planned for same May weekend
And:Brevard approves cultural grants for more money than the groups asked for
Commissioner John Tobia voted against the grants, which had been unanimously recommended by the advisory Brevard County Tourist Development Council and the TDC’s Cultural Committee.
Tobia said after the vote that he generally opposes this type of use of tourist tax money for grants. He said the money instead should go toward advertising the Space Coast to potential tourists or for upgrades to county parks that are draws for tourists.
Tobia also voted against a series of 10 smaller grants for sports events designed to attract tourists. Those grants, totaling $86,188.30, previously had been approved by the Tourist Development Council and the TDC’s Cultural Committee.
County Commission Chair Kristine Zonka voted in favor of…
