RAfl ata Collection Form Part A: Project Information (To be completed by all.pfpposers) Okaloosa County, Florida 10/17/2014
INTROUCTION The purpose of this data collection form is to assist Okaloosa County in prioritizing projects submitted for irect Component ("Pot #1 11 ) funds allocated from the Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund through the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act of 2012 (RESTORE Act). The following terms are used in this data collection form: Applicant - the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners (BOC() Project Proposer - the individual or organization completing this form Responsible Entity - the Okaloosa County BOCC Prior to initiating this data collection form, it is recommended the Project Proposer download and review the entire form to understand the range of required information. Tools/data required to complete this form may include: permits, interlocal agreements, comprehensive plans, evidence of property ownership, and estimated project costs. Completing all required information in the collection form may require many hours; this will be a function of project complexity and proposer preparedness. This data collection form differs from the U.S. Treasury Application Form (RESTORE Act irect Component Guidance and Application to Receive Federal Financial Assistance; August 2014). This data collection form was designed to assist the Okaloosa RESTORE Advisory Committee (ORA() in their task of developing a recommended list of potential projects for inclusion in the BOCC's Multi-Year Implementation Plan (MYIP). Projects that are identified for funding in the MYIP will require additional information from the Project Proposer. Although completion of Part C of this data collection form is not required at this time, the Project Proposer is encouraged to thoroughly review Part C to ensure the ability to fully comply with the minimum information required by the U.S. Treasury for project funding. If a proposed project is ultimately included in the approved MYIP, failure of the Project Proposer to then provide the required project information in Part C may preclude funding for that project. Per RESTORE Act guidance, the responsible entity shall be solely responsible for the execution of each funded project, including procurement of professional services and/or construction services. The Okaloosa County BOCC (the responsible entity) reserves the right to delegate these services to subentities with the demonstrated capability to comply with all County and Federal procurement processes required by the RESTORE Act. By proposing a project through this data collection form, the Project Proposer acknowledges there is no guarantee the proposed project will be funded. Further, the Project Proposer acknowledges no reimbursement or compensation shall be provided for completing the data collection form or any other activities associated with proposing a project.
Part A: Project Information A.1 Project Proposer: Provide the name and contact info of the Project Proposer. Okal oosa County Tourist evelopment epartment/emerald Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau 1540 Mi racle Strip Parkway SE Fort Walton Beach FL 32548 A.2 Point of Contact: Provide the name and contact information of the person to be contacted on matters concerning this project (POC). Nancy Hussong, Research & evelopment Manager 850-609- 5387 nhussong@co.okal oosa. fl.us A.3 Proposed Activity Name: Provide the name of the Proposed Activity. Emerald Coast Visitors Welcome Center Technology Updates A.4. Requested Funding Amount: How much irect Component (Pot #1) funding is being requested for this project. I $83, 161. 00 I A.4.1 Other Funding: Is additional funding, outside of this request, being used for the project? No (Skip to A.S) 0 Yes (provide information on all additional funding sources and amounts.) Tourist evelopment Tax Funds, Visitors Center Refurbishment A.4.2 Funding Under $90,000: Is the requested funding under $90,000? [8] Less than or equal to $90,000 (Complete only part A) More than $90,000 (Complete Part A and Part B)
A.S Qualifying Eligible Activity: Please check the primary eligible activity in the first column and then al l other eligible activities that apply in the second column by placing an 'X" in the column in the row corresponding to the qualifying eligible activity. Select Primary Activity Select All Others That Apply Qualifying Eligible Activity Restoration and r rotection of the natural resources, ecosystems, fisheries, marine 1nd wildlife habitats, beaches and coastal wetlands of the Gulf Coast Region [R] Mitigation of damage to fish, wildlife and natural resources Implementation of a federally approved marine, coastal, or comprehensive conservation management plan, including fisheries monitoring Workforce development and job creation Improvements to or on State parks located in coastal areas affected by the eepwater Horizon oil spill Infrastructure projects benefitting the economy or ecological resources, including port infrastructure Coastal flood protection and related infrastructure IRl Planning assistance Promotion of tourism in the Gulf Coast Region, including recreational fishing [R] Promotion of the consumption of seafood harvested from the Gulf Coast Region A.6 Claimed in Oil Liability Trust Fund After July 6, 2012: Was this proposed activity included in any claim for compensation paid out by the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund after July 6, 2012? Yes {STOP. This activity is not eligible.) IRl No
A.7 Location of Activity: Provide the project location. If there is more than one location for the activity, attach a list of the additional locations. A.7.1 Address: Provide the actual address for the activity (street address, municipality(ies), county/parish, state, zip code). (If there is no street number, provide the nearest intersection or note boundaries on map submitted with Question A.7.2.) Streetaddress: 1 540 Miracle Strip Parkway SE Municipality(ies): ---------- County/parish: Okaloosa County State: Florida Zip code: 32548 A.7.2 Map: Provide a map of the project location and the area affected by the project. A.8 Project Schedule: Provide a proposed project schedule to include: start date, end date, and major milestones. Project scheduling to begin as soon as possible following award of grant. A.9 Monitoring: uring the project & following its completion, will the project be subject to a monitoring program to evaluate project success? No [8] Yes (provide information on monitoring and evaluation) Project to be monitored through Visit Florida 's Certified Travel Information Center ongoing evaluation program. A.10 Management/Maintenance Program: Will the project be subject to a management/maintenance program to ensure project success? No [RJYes (Provide information on how the project w ill be monitored and maintained as well as the party (or parties} responsible for performing these tasks.} (240 words max.} igi tal equipment purchase will include an inst allati on and maintenance/monitoring contract.
A.11 PROJECT SUMMARY Provide a narrative of your project and why this project should be funded. iscuss the following items as a minimum: Economics of the project: Explain how the overall budget supports the proposed work o Project Expenditures (long term and short term) o Project Revenues (sales, donations, etc.) Other funds to be used in addition to irect Component funds Key personnel involved with the project Specific objectives Permits or land acquisition required esign status Similar project success or if new technology explain Environmental impact (species affected, existing plans supported, etc.) Risks to implement and maintain the activity Jobs Created (1,500 words max) Renovation of the Emerald Coast Visitors Welcome Center (Emerald Coast Center) building constructed in 1994 is in process. The 1,000 square foot welcome area staffed by a willing travel staff distributes 264 brochures on lodging, attractions, dining, water sports, fishing, golf, diving, snorkeling, excursion cruise, eco-tourism and other services to 40,000+ visitors annually. Built in 1994, the Emerald Coast Center no longer meets the needs of today's digitally savvy and demanding traveler. Yet, welcome centers are doubling their numbers in the states of Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and South Carolina in an effort to compete with Florida's No. 1 tourism state status. The tourism industry is highly competitive and that's why digital technologies are emerging in tourist operations globally. It is an exciting medium to deliver information about tourism. A recent Temple University Laboratory for Tourism and Ecommerce study found that official digital and print visitors guides increased the number of attractions and events people consumed during their trips and increased their length of stay by 1.9 days. The Emerald Coast Center is also slated to become Visit Florida's first Certified Travel Information Center, having met all of the validation criteria. Visit Florida named the Emerald Coast of estin-fort Walton Beach-Okaloosa Island the No. 4 destination for visitors to Florida, with 4.4 million visitors spending $128 per person per day. Tourism is the second largest economic contributor for Okaloosa County, with 14,630 local tourism jobs generating $325 Million in workforce income from lodgings, restaurants, attractions, grocery stores, sport fishing, gas stations and jewelry store employment. The positive side to tourism is that visitors keep our taxes lower because they help pay for the public services Okaloosans receive. Whether we know it or not, we all have a direct stake in tourism.
Tourism is one of two sectors of the Florida economy that created jobs during the Florida recession from February 2007 through January 2010. Since the recession ended, the job creation of Florida tourism is second only to health care. The most recent comprehensive study of Florida beach tourism found that 92 percent of Florida's beach-going tourists from U.S. states and overseas reported water sports and sunbathing as their top activity when visiting Florida. The emergence of digitally communicating and engaging with the public, both indoors and outdoors, will help the Emerald Coast Center reach the specific objective of touching a much wider and diverse audience. Key personnel involved in the project include the Tourist evelopment epartment irector, Research and evelopment Manager, Visitors Center Manager, Information Systems Manager and Marketing Manager. An additional 3-6 volunteer jobs will be created to help assist visitors in the Emerald Coast Center, and via a covered drive-up outdoor screen at the Emerald Coast Center, at a remote outdoor location, such as a shopping area, and via a mobile visitors center for use at local and regional events. Tourist development tax third cent operations and maintenance revenues of $277,000 are earmarked for refurbishment of the 4,219 square foot Emerald Coast Center with new restroom flooring, dividers, sinks, fixtures, interior paint, ceiling tiles, lighting, and 4 walled offices. A new $85,000 standing seam metal roof was installed in March, and a $55,000 Hardie board exterior siding contract awarded in April, with installation in summer 2015. The much needed digital updates will give the Emerald Coast Center the ability to feature local event, beach and attractions images in bright, backlit lightboard displays and via large led monitors. The solution will also incorporate a free standing touch screen table kiosk and wall screen kiosk. Th e technology will give visitors the ability to drill down for information on events and venues locally, as well as statewide. The touch screens will also enable visitors to send content and information from the touch screens to their smart phones for future reference. The following costs include software, content design, monthly updates, support and maintenance, as well as replacement of failed hardware. The Project Expenditures total $83,161.00, as follows: 1. TWO IN-CENTER 47" LE IGITAL LOOPE VIEO MONITORS (STATIC BACKLIT) FEATURING LOOPE VIEO OF EVENTS, INING, FISHING, EXCURSION CRUISES, SAILING CHARTERS, WATERSPORTS, ATTRACTIONS, GOLF, MUSEUMS, SPORTS, ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, ECO-TOURISM AVENTURES, IVING AN SNORKELING. (COST $2,990, PLUS INSTALLATION AN ANNUAL SERVICE $4,800, OR $7,790)
2. TWO IN-CENTER 47"LE FREE STANING TOUCH SCREEN KIOSK MONITORS (1 TABLE AN 1 WALL SCREEN) WITH V PLAYERS, SOFTWARE AN SMART PHONE TEXT SEN FEATURE. {COST $6,800, PLUS INSTALLATION AN ANNUAL SERVICE $4,800, OR $11,600) 3. THREE REMOTE SITE{S) 47" LE FREE STANING TOUCH SCREEN KIOSK MONITORS WITH V PLAYER, SOFTWARE AN SMART PHONE TEXT SEN FEATURE; INCLUING A COVERE RIVE-UP OUTOOR SCREEN AT THE EMERAL COAST CENTER, A REMOTE OUTOOR LOCATION, SUCH AS A SHOPPING AREA, AN WITHIN A MOBILE VISITORS CENTER FOR USE AT LOCAL AN REGIONAL EVENTS. (COST $29,100, PLUS INST ALLATON AN ANNUAL SERVICE $7,200, OR $36,300} 4. TWO IN-CENTER 19" LE FREE STANING, ROTATING TOUCH SCREEN KIOSK MONITORS WITH V PLAYER, SOFTWARE AN SMART PHONE TEXT SEN FEATURE AT REESIGNE CONCIERGE ESK SEATING STATIONS. (COST $1,495, PLUS INSTALLATION AN ANNUAL SERVICE $4,800, OR $6,295) 5. TWO 60" X 96" AN FOUR 36" X 48" LIGHTBOAR ISPLAYS {STATIC BACKLIT) WITH FULL COLOR IMAGE TRANSPARENCY INSERTS. {COST $5,070 AN $3,316, OR $8,386) 6. TWO 47" LE IGITAL LOOPE VIEO MONITORS (STATIC BACKLIT} AN REESIGNE CONCIERGE ESKFRONT FEATURING BEACH AN ATTRACTIONS. (COST $2,990, PLUS ESK $5,000, AN KIOSK INSTALLATION WITH ANNUAL SERVICE $4,800, OR $12,790) In conclusion, the Okaloosa County Tourist evelopment epartment strives to create a rich, inclusive environment and tourism experience for every visitor. A digitally competitive Emerald Coast Center that meet the needs of our diverse visitor audiences will serve as a catalyst to impact tourism on the Emerald Coast, for which we respectfully request your consideration of this funding application. Thank you. EN OF PART A
BACK OOR TYPICAL WALL ISPLAY 47 I ' LE '\ MON I TOI\ 1. 5. ~ 36" x48" STATIC BACKLIT BAR HEIGHT CABINETS FOR STORAGE 47" LE MONITOR~ 1. VIEO MONITOR OR STATIC BACl<.OROP 36" x 48" STATIC / BACKLIT~ I 5. 5. f... 60" x 96" STATIC CONCIERGE ESK BAR HEIGHT & COUNTER 2 3 STATIONS BACl{LIT 0 1 10 /1 60" x 96" STATIC BACl{LIT 5. 5. 36" x 48" i/ STATIC BACKLIT 6. 6. 36" x 48" STATIC BACKLIT~ 5 BROCHURE HOLER TOUCH 2. SCREEN '-" TABLE APPROPRIATE STATIC n::: 0 PILINGS 8 I \ / ROPE 19" TOUCH SCREENS TOUCH KIOSK QR COES ON SCREEN &......0 O O SITTING ~ Q AREA (201 ISPLAYS i BACKLIT KIOSK ~ g~ VISIT FLORIA 0 c SELFIE z I O PHOTO BOOTH s: CURRENT,-42" MONITOf WINOW FRONT OOR WINOW 2.
Multiple lightboards lightboard w it h decorative topper with built-in tv/dvd Outdoor free-standing kiosk with bu ilt-in brochure racks Outdoor free-standing kiosk with courtesy phone, and enclosed t.v.
Photos of other options available- (but these are NOT our company' s photos) Built-in Touch screen (42"-65") Incorporated into builder's design Sma ll touch screen stands (white, black or silver) si lver) Large Touch screen sta nds (b lack or
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