Manatee County becomes Benderson Park partner

The Manatee County Commission unanimously approved an agreement last week that allows the county to pay up to $150,000 annually in marketing materials associated with Nathan Benderson Park.

The move brings Manatee County into the partnership fold with Sarasota County and the Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center Association Inc. (SANCA), the nonprofit entity that manages the park and attracts events, for costs associated with operating the park.

Even though Nathan Benderson Park sits in Sarasota County, SANCA President Paul Blackketter calls Manatee County’s financial commitment “a small investment for a lot of return.”

Why?

Blackketter points out the park held 27 events last year and hosted 15 collegiate sports teams. The park patrons and players attracted to the park created a $12.9 million economic value in both Sarasota and Manatee counties.

“The economic investment to not just Sarasota County, but both counties because the park sits on the county line, is the return on both counties’ investment,” Blackketter said.

When you compare the two counties’ annual investments, Blackketter also points out that Manatee County’s share is a bargain (see sidebar).

Annually, Sarasota County provides $325,000 to pay for events at the park and $233,000 to pay for payroll associated with work done at the park. It also spent $125,000 for six months of park maintenance and has agreed to pay for annual park maintenance at a cost of $292,000 yearly.

Manatee County’s agreement pays for marketing and promotional materials up to $150,000 per year for the next four years.

Both counties are using tourist resort tax fund dollars to pay for their shares of the park’s costs.

“The more events and marketing we have to bring people here, the more tourist tax dollars we will create,” Blackketter said.

The marketing materials Manatee County has agreed to pay for will market both counties and is considered a joint collaboration to market Nathan Benderson Park leading up to the 2017 World Rowing Championships and other athletic events.

Marketing the Park
Manatee County agreed last week to a partnership that will provide up to $150,000 in tourist tax dollars to pay for marketing materials associated with Nathan Benderson Park. Sarasota County, where the park resides, is putting up more money to maintain the park. Below is a look at the annual cost comparisons.

Sarasota County
Description        Cost
Events                 $325,000
Payroll                 $233,000
Maintenance      $292,000
Total                     $850,000

Manatee County
Description     Cost
Marketing         $150,000
Total                  $150,000

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].