Frequently Asked Questions
What is Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc.?
Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., is a nonprofit corporation conceived by the Florida Legislature to create and administer a program to assist with the economic recovery in eight counties that were disproportionally affected by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The eight disproportionately impacted counties are: Bay, Escambia, Franklin, Gulf, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton, and Wakulla.
Why was Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., created?
In 2011, the Legislature began to address the negative economic and environmental impacts of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill that evidenced the extreme vulnerability of the region’s economy. As a result, in 2013, the Legislature enacted the “Gulf Coast Economic Corridor Act” to provide a long-term source of funding for economic recovery and enhancement efforts in the Gulf Coast region. The Act was intended to help businesses, individuals, and local governments recover from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and diversify their economies. The Act created Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc. (“Triumph Gulf Coast”), a nonprofit corporation, administratively housed under the Department of Economic Opportunity.
How does Triumph Gulf Coast receive funding?
Following the 2010 Oil Spill, the State of Florida sued British Petroleum (“B.P.”) for the economic damages it sustained. B.P. and the state entered into a settlement agreement where by the State will receive a total of $2 Billion dollars over an 18 year period. Attorney General Pam Bondi received BP’s initial settlement payment of $400 million in July of 2016, and the funds were placed into the state General Revenue Fund. 13 Subsequent settlement payments are scheduled to be paid annually to the state in the amount of $106,666,666 from 2019 until 2033.
The Gulf Coast Economic Corridor Act appropriates approximately $300 million from the General Revenue Fund of the State of Florida to Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., in the 2017-2018 fiscal year (75% of the first $400 Million Dollar payment). The act also creates a continuing appropriation to Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., of roughly $80 million annually (Approx. 75% of the recurring $106,666,666 payment) from the annual receipts of the settlement funds from 2019 until 2033.
Who may apply for an award from Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc.?
An “Awardee” under the law may include a person, organization, or local government.
How do I know if my project/program may qualify for an award from Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc.?
Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., will make awards from available funds to projects or programs that meet the priorities for economic recovery, diversification, and enhancement of the disproportionately affected counties. Awards may be provided for:
(a) Ad valorem tax rate reduction within disproportionately affected counties;
(b) Local match requirements of s. 288.0655 for projects in the disproportionately affected counties;
(c) Public infrastructure projects for construction, expansion, or maintenance which are shown to enhance economic recovery, diversification, and enhancement of the disproportionately affected counties;
(d) Grants to local governments in the disproportionately affected counties to establish and maintain equipment and trained personnel for local action plans of response to respond to disasters, such as plans created for the Coastal Impacts Assistance Program;
(e) Grants to support programs that prepare students for future occupations and careers at K-20 institutions that have campuses in the disproportionately affected counties. Eligible programs include those that increase students’ technology skills and knowledge; encourage industry certifications; provide rigorous, alternative pathways for students to meet high school graduation requirements; strengthen career readiness initiatives; fund high-demand programs of emphasis at the bachelor’s and master’s level designated by the Board of Governors; and, similar to or the same as talent retention programs created by the Chancellor of the State University System and the Commission of Education, encourage students with interest or aptitude for science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medical disciplines to pursue postsecondary education at a state university or a Florida College System institution within the disproportionately affected counties;
(f) Grants to support programs that provide participants in the disproportionately affected counties with transferable, sustainable workforce skills that are not confined to a single employer; and
(g) Grants to the tourism entity created under s. 288.1226 for the purpose of advertising and promoting tourism and Fresh From Florida, and grants to promote workforce and infrastructure, on behalf of all of the disproportionately affected counties.
Is there a Pre-Application Process?
Yes. The Triumph Board has adopted a mandatory pre-application process. Documentation regarding the Pre-Application process may be accessed at www.myfloridatriumph.com. Once a project completes the Pre-Application process it is eligible to submit a formal Application for an award—regardless of the outcome of the Pre-Application Process.
When will the application process open?
The application process is expected to open on or after November 8, 2017. Pre-applications may be submitted at any time.
What is the deadline for submitting proposals?
Sections 288.80-288.8018, Florida Statutes, do not provide a deadline for submitting proposals. Proposals will be considered by the board on a rolling basis. There will likely be consideration deadlines prior to Board Meetings; however no such deadlines have been set at this time.
Is there a limitation on the amount of funds that can be requested?
The statute does not provide a limit on the amount of funding that can be requested per project
What specific priorities did the legislature identify for Triumph Gulf Coast?
Triumph Gulf Coast, seeks to select projects and programs that have the potential to generate increased economic activity in the disproportionately affected counties, giving priority to projects and programs that:
(a) Generate maximum estimated economic benefits, based on tools and models not generally employed by economic input-output analyses, including cost-benefit, return-on-investment, or dynamic scoring techniques to determine how the long-term economic growth potential of the disproportionately affected counties may be enhanced by the investment.
(b) Increase household income in the disproportionately affected counties above national average household income.
(c) Leverage or further enhance key regional assets, including educational institutions, research facilities, and military bases.
(d) Partner with local governments to provide funds, infrastructure, land, or other assistance for the project.
(e) Benefit the environment, in addition to the economy.
(f) Provide outcome measures.
(g) Partner with K-20 educational institutions or school districts located within the disproportionately affected counties as of January 1, 2017.
(h) Are recommended by the board of county commissioners of the county in which the project or program will be located.
(i) Partner with convention and visitor bureaus, tourist development councils, or chambers of commerce located within the disproportionately affected counties.
Does the Board have the discretion to establish priorities and review the priorities identified by the Legislature?
The Board is required to meet no less than quarterly to establish and review priorities for economic recovery, diversification, and enhancement of the disproportionately affected counties, and determine use of funds available.
Does each respective Board of County Commissioners in the disproportionately affected Counties have the right to designate how any of the Triumph Gulf Coast funds are spent?
No. Each Board of County Commissioners in the eight disproportionately affected counties may submit a list of projects and programs proposed by other elected bodies within their respective counties and a list of recommendations to Triumph Gulf Coast for consideration; however, input from the County Commissions is neither mandatory nor conclusive. The application, scoring, and award processes is governed solely by the Triumph Gulf Coast Board.
Is there a requirement that each county receive a share of the funds allocated to Triumph Gulf Coast?
Yes. The statute provides that a minimum allocation from Triumph Gulf Coast in an amount equal to at least 5% of the funds appropriated ($300 million) must be for projects located in each of the eight disproportionately affected counties. For subsequent appropriations, the guaranteed minimum allocation for projects located in each county is reduced to 4%. The determination of all appropriations and awards is left to the sole discretion of the Triumph Gulf Coast Board.
The statute does not require a project to have matching funds. However, if matching funds are being provided please include details in your proposal as the ability of an applicant to leverage Triumph Dollars is a factor that reflects favorably on an application.
Are additional attachments such as maps and photos permissible in the proposal?
Attachments are permissible. Please send as much detail in the project proposal as possible.
Is the grant provided over a specific time period?
The statute does not provide a specific time period. However, Triumph is prohibited from dispersing 100% of any award in a single year. It is recommended that applicants include a detailed timeline of all proposals.
How many proposals can one entity submit?
The statute does not limit the number of proposals that one entity can submit.
Can changes be made to a proposal once it has been submitted?
Yes, please email any amendments or changes to proposals already submitted to [email protected].
Is the funding meant for new or pre-existing projects?
The grant funds can be used for either type of project; please provide as many details in the project proposal as possible describing what projects the funding will be used for.
If my project is approved by Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., when will funds be made available?
Once approved, each program/project/entity will go through a due diligence process before entering into a contract with Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc, where a funding timeline will be established and performance objectives identified.
How will the Board decide which award applications are selected for funding?
There is no specific objective scoring system that dictates the manner in which awards are made. The Board will select projects after each application is subject to legal review, a scoring process, evaluation by an economist working with the Board, and discussion by the seven Triumph Board members.
Is all of the information that is provided in the proposal considered a public record?
Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc. proposals are public record under Florida statutes. However, any information that is confidential by state statutes will be redacted according to the statute applicable.
Who can I contact to ask specific questions regarding the program:
Susan Skelton - Triumph Executive Director
[email protected]
850.387.9405
Scott A. Remington, Esq. - Triumph Legal Counsel
[email protected]
850.434.9200