Visit Florida has created a $500K emergency grant program to fund marketing efforts by tourist boards in counties affected by red tide in summer 2018.

Quoting from the Visit Florida website:

"Grant funds are to assist local tourism development boards with increasing visitation once red tide has subsided through advertising (print, broadcast, digital, social media or out of home), direct mail, brochure production, website development, as well as other related projects/programs."

Visit Florida began accepting proposals on 17 August, and will continue to do so until the red tide subsides.

Tourist boards must complete their marketing projects and within 60 days apply to Visit Florida for reimbursement.

ROI reports are required of applicants.

Florida tourism has had more than its share of problems in the past couple of years. Let's hope they can soon overcome this one.