On July 18th the Pasco County Tourism Development Council (TDC) awarded $80,000 to ten events in Pasco County that promote Pasco as a tourist destination. Each year there is a special event grant application that must be submitted to be considered for the funding. The fund to support the Local Special Event Grant program is from the two percent Tourist Development Tax. The tax is collected from hotels, motels, campgrounds, and short-term housing rentals of less than six months. Awards are made based on the production of room nights and the economic impact that the event has on Pasco. The 2012 Chasco Fiesta produced 398 room nights that were certified by local hotels, and had an economic impact of $2,169,943. This year Chasco Fiesta was awarded $21,254 from the TDC. These funds must be used for out of county advertising. The Office of Tourism Development will forward the TDC's funding recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners for final approval.
