On July 7, the Sumter County Tourist Development Council (TDC) will review a draft Tourism Development Plan that could guide how approximately $1.4 million in annual tourist development tax (bed tax) revenue is invested if current revenue estimates hold.

While this isn’t a final spending decision, it establishes the priorities that will shape future funding requests.

What’s in the draft?

The proposed plan identifies several investment areas:

• Parks, springs, rivers, and outdoor recreation
• Historic and cultural attractions
• Agritourism and local farms
• Community events and festivals
• Fairgrounds improvements
• Tourism marketing and branding

The June meeting minutes also discussed a general funding framework:

• Up to 20% for tourism website improvements and advertising
• 10% for social media promotion
• 40% for Fairgrounds improvements
• 30% for capital improvements at other tourism attractions

Why residents should care

Tourism dollars can improve local amenities without directly increasing property taxes. However, residents should also understand how funding decisions will be made.

Questions worth asking include:

• How will projects be selected?
• Will there be a competitive application process?
• How will success be measured?
• Will rural communities receive a fair share of investments?
• How will the public track where the money goes?

Transparent planning today helps ensure accountable spending tomorrow.

Meeting Information

Tourist Development Council
Tuesday, July 7, 2026
2:00 PM
Gloria Rowe Hayward Service Center
215 Gloria Rowe Hayward Way
Sumterville