The Monroe County Tourism Development Council (TDC) recently announced funding for tourism-related capital projects designed to enhance the visitor experience, strengthen local infrastructure and support long-term economic growth throughout the Keys. Funded through the TDC’s capital grant program, the projects represent a strategic investment of bed tax revenue collected from overnight visitors.
The TDC is projected to spend over $11 million on capital projects in fiscal year 2026, providing grants to government entities and nonprofit organizations for infrastructure improvements — including repairs, renovations and upgrades — that enhance the Keys as a destination for domestic and international tourism.
These improvements would generally be funded through property taxes, but thanks to the tourist development tax, visitors — not residents — pay for these community benefits. Tourism spending in Monroe County has a significant economic impact, generating some $173 million in local taxes from visitors each year.
“These projects directly support our mission to strengthen tourism infrastructure, while also delivering meaningful benefits to our local community,” said Kara Franker, Monroe County TDC president and CEO. “This approach is part of a broader concept known as destination stewardship, and these investments by the TDC reinforce our long-term commitment to that vision. Each project adds new value for visitors and gives them even more reasons to experience everything there is to love about the Florida Keys all year long.”
Funding applications are reviewed by each of five District Advisory Committees (DACs) for initial review. In June, the DACs held meetings to evaluate proposals and voted on recommended funding amounts. These recommendations were reviewed and approved by the TDC board, followed by final approval from the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). Final approval by BOCC is still ongoing with contracts being approved during the first quarter of the new fiscal year.
Major projects for FY 2026 include:
City of Key West: Mallory Square Wharf Improvements, more than $2.6 million for repairs to the Mallory Square seawall.
Coral Restoration Foundation, Inc.: more than $475,000 for coral restoration.
Friends of the Pool Inc.: $130,000 for continued preservation of Alligator Reef Light Station.
Islamorada: More than $435,000 for Founders Park pool resurfacing project.
Monroe County: more than $900,000 for Higgs Beach pavilion repairs, Big Pine Community Park & Skate Park and Jacobs Aquatic Center pool renovations.
Monroe school board: $500,000 for Conch Cafe and Baseball Museum.
Reef Environmental Education Foundation Center: more than $57,000 for outdoor attractions, a new roof and campus restoration.
Reef Renewal USA: more than $360,000 for coral restoration.
Projects funded by the TDC include restroom upgrades at Higgs Beach and Smathers Beach in Key West, annual beach cleanings at those locations, as well as at Sombrero Beach in Marathon, Founders Park in Islamorada and Harry Harris Park in Key Largo.
Additional organizations/entities that were awarded funding for projects include:
- City of Key Colony Beach.
- City of Marathon.
- Dolphin Research Center.
- Dolphins Plus Oceanside Marine Mammal Responder.
- Florida Keys Land & Sea Trust.
- Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center.
- Hidden Harbor Marine Environmental Project.
- I. Care Corporation.
- Institute Patriótico y Docente San Carlos.
- Island Dolphin Care.
- Key West Botanical Garden Society.
- Marine Resources Development Foundation.
- Miami Dade Historical Maritime Museum.
- Old Island Restoration Foundation.
- Pigeon Key Foundation.
- The Florida Keys History of Diving Museum.
- The Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Society.
