(1) The Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation is authorized to establish a cooperative advertising matching grants program and, pursuant thereto, to make expenditures and enter into contracts with local governments and nonprofit corporations for the purpose of publicizing the tourism advantages of the state. The department, based on recommendations from the corporation, shall have final approval of grants awarded through this program.
(2) The total annual allocation of funds for this grant program may not exceed $40,000. Each grant awarded under the program shall be limited to no more than $2,500 and shall be matched by nonstate dollars. All grants shall be restricted to local governments and nonprofit corporations serving and located in municipalities having a population of 50,000 persons or less or in counties with an unincorporated area having a population of 200,000 persons or less.
(3) The Florida Tourism Marketing Corporation shall conduct an annual competitive selection process for the award of grants under the program. In determining its recommendations for the grant awards, the corporation shall consider the demonstrated need of the applicant for advertising assistance, the feasibility and projected benefit of the applicant’s proposal, the amount of nonstate funds that will be leveraged, and such other criteria as the department deems appropriate. In evaluating grant applications, the department shall consider recommendations from the corporation. The department, however, has final approval authority for any grant under this section.