Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/116876
Sarasota News Leader March 22, 2013 vard of the Arts, to talk about the need for community support if the festival is to go on this year. She will present the same information to the public as she did to the County Commission during its regular meeting on March 19, she told the News Leader. Then, she will conduct a question-and-answer session with attendees. Boat racers who participate in the Grand Prix also will be present to offer comments, Nicandri said. Asked if she hoped the event would generate the necessary public donations to make it possible for the festival to go on, Nicandri replied, ���I hope so.��� The County Commission on March 19 unanimously approved the $13,500 contribution to the Suncoast Super Boat Grand Prix Festival, but that action followed a 3-2 vote against increasing the amount to $82,700. Page 16 Commissioner Nora Patterson made the motion for the $13,500, while Commissioner Joe Barbetta offered the amendment that would include the $79,200 fee the festival needs to pay a sanctioning organization so it can hold the boat race. Only Barbetta and Chairwoman Carolyn Mason supported the amendment. As part of the commission���s agenda material for the meeting, Suncoast Charities provided a ���Visitor and Economic Impact Study��� for the 2012 boat race and events. Prepared by Research Data Services Inc. of Tampa, the report shows the total direct and indirect economic impact on the county of all the events associated with the festival equaled $14,306,173, up 12.1 percent from the 2011 figure of $12.7 million, Nicandri pointed out to the County Commission. A chart shows the largest expenses for Suncoast Charities to put on the Grand Prix Festival. Image courtesy Sarasota County