Nearly $10 million generated by Florida Keys tourism will support projects serving visitors and residents.
The Monroe County Tourist Development Council announced on April 13 that projects will get $9.7 million of tourist tax revenue, distributed from Key West to Key Largo across the five TDC advisory districts in the Keys. A Key West press release detailed three priority projects for phase one of improvements to Mallory Square that the TDC funds will support, totaling $3.62 million. Of that, $1.92 million will support new public restroom facilities, $1 million for shade structures and $700,000 for landscaping and improved aesthetics.
“This investment positions the city to make meaningful visible improvements at Mallory Square,” said City Manager Brian L. Barroso.
In the Lower Keys, $1 million will support an artificial reef project. Kara Franker, Visit Florida Keys president and CEO, said the project will help get new scuba divers comfortable around artificial reef structures before visiting real coral reef sites. Franker said there will also be an on-land educational component.
Marathon’s Old Seven Mile Bridge will get $562,655 for maintenance, while the Marathon International Airport will get $800,000 for an access control system.
“This is an example of putting Visit Florida Keys’ money where its mouth is by investing in projects that are significant to residents as well as visitors,” Monroe County Mayor Michelle Lincoln said.
With the one-time funds, the TDC’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year includes $1.3 million for commercial air service at the Marathon airport. The TDC is also allocating $500,000 in its budget to match a federal grant for the small community air service development. Recent upgrades to the county-owned airport are headlined by a $30.1 million runway relocation that was finished in October 2025. The move brought the airfield into compliance with FAA standards, separating the runway from the taxiway so larger planes’ wings could pass while traveling in opposite directions.
Islamorada’s efforts to enhance the Founders Park boat ramp will receive $750,000 in TDC funds. The project aims to install a second boat launch next to the current one, along with redesigning boat and trailer parking. Islamorada Vice Mayor Sharon Mahoney, who’s been working to bring another launch for local fishing guides, said she was elated by the funding, calling the project a win for residents, guides and tourism.
And $2 million will support Key Largo’s John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park’s new visitor center and aquarium, in which the state is investing $50 million. The project will include interactive exhibits, a 30,000-gallon saltwater aquarium and wildlife observation areas.
Franker said she and TDC chair Diane Schmitt chose “Destination Stewardship” projects in each of the TDC’s five District Advisory Committees (DACs) for these one-time funds. Franker said the projects are so significant to the economy and residents’ enjoyment that they were pulled out of the standard DAC capital funding application process for approval by the TDC and county commissioners.
“They rose to a higher level of significance to benefit visitors and residents,” Franker said.
Franker added the fiscal year 2027 budget includes a $65.4 million investment in advertising, events, promotions and operations. As for capital grant allocations through the DACs, each will receive a one-time funding boost of 20% to support projects.
A total of $400,000 in unappropriated tourist development tax funds will support America’s 250th events in the Florida Keys. In March, county commissioners discussed using unappropriated tourism funds to support events and commemorative activities across the Florida Keys for the nation’s semiquincentennial. The BOCC has determined that this use promotes tourism and is consistent with Florida law.
