Project ID Number is 296

A. General Information Suggestion State:
Entity/Sponsor: Town of Dauphin Island Organization Website: http://www.townofdauphinisland.org
Contact Name: Jeff  Collier Title: Mayor
Contact Address: 1011 Bienville Boulevard
Dauphin Island, AL   36528
Phone Number: 251-861-5525   Email: jcollier@townofdauphinisland.org
Suggestion State: Reviewed Suggestion Date: 3/14/2016
B. Project Classification - Primary Tourism Promotion
C. Project Classification - Secondary
 Economic
D. Project Information
Project Name: Promotion of Year-Round Tourism Activities on Dauphin Island, with emphasis on the "off-season."
Project Location: Dauphin Island and south Mobile County, Alabama
Project State(s):
AL
County(s):
Mobile
Watershed/Basin: Mobile Bay Latitude: N/A Longitude:   N/A
E. Project Description Dauphin Island is seeking $2.5 million ($500,000 a year for five years) in Alabama Coastal Restoration funding. The barrier island off the coast of southwest Alabama is a sparkling jewel in the state's tourism crown, offering visitors a unique beach vacation unlike any other. While thoroughly modern in infrastructure and public services, it is at the same time an old-fashioned resort community where people can kick back and enjoy the breathtaking beauty of sand, surf and sunsets. In the wake of the 2010 oil spill, Dauphin Island experienced a precipitous drop in the number of tourists, not just in its formerly robust summer season but also in the fall, winter and spring months. Since then, with assistance from the BP Gulf Seafood and Tourism Promotional Fund, the town has begun rebuilding and expanding its tourism economy by promoting its attributes regionally and even nationally. Funding from the Alabama Recovery Council will allow the town to continue to grow its tourism economy through print, electronic and social media advertising as well as a public relations outreach and financial partnerships with the Dauphin Island Chamber of Commerce and South Mobile County Tourism Authority. The result will be a more stable economy that allows its businesses and tourist attractions to thrive throughout the year, not just in the summer. In addition to supporting jobs for island residents, the income from tourism provides more than half of the revenue in the town's $2.6 million annual budget. A healthy Dauphin Island economy also contributes to Mobile County and State of Alabama sales, lodging and property taxes. The ability to continue and expand its tourism outreach for another five years will permit Dauphin Island to promote its attractions that include: historic Fort Gaines; the 137-acre Audubon Bird Sanctuary and Dauphin Island Sea Lab and Estuarium, which offer numerous eco-tourism opportunities; Indian shell mounds dating back at least 1,000 years; and beaches on Mobile Bay, the Gulf of Mexico and Mississippi Sound. In addition, Dauphin Island will be able to boost its new brand, "The Sunset Capital of Alabama," and will build on its growing reputation as a laid-back, family-oriented tourist destination. Visitors are the key to Dauphin Island's prosperity, both now and in the future. It is paramount that the island be able to continue its recovery from the BP oil spill. The Alabama Coastal Restoration funding is a key component of that recovery.
F. Water Quality Projects and Ecological Benefits
G. Resiliency Considerations (Ecological; Social-Ecological; Social; Socio-Economic and/or Community Resilience)
H. Project Status
Property/Resource Acquisition:
Current Landowner or Holder of the Easement: 		N/A Recent Appraisal? No
Project Planning/Design: N/A Project Permitting
No Permits
Project will take   6  Months to Begin and an additional  60  Months to Complete
Can be implemented in phases? No
No Phases
Is this project included under a regional or statewide plan/initiative? N/A
If so, list:
Project Feasibility and Likelihood of Success:
Leveraging/Complementary Projects:
I. Project Cost
Estimated Cost: $2,500,000.00 Maintenance/Operational Cost: $0.00
Nature of Cost: N/A Sources for Funding Costs: N/A
Level of Confidence: High New business startup or expansion? No
Basis/Method of Estimation: The town has experience in advertising, marketing, promotions and event creation, so confidence in plans is high.
Matching Funds Available:
No Matching Funds
Project Partners:
No Project Partners Entered.
J. Project Impact on Community
Community Need: The project will strengthen Dauphin Island's position as a year-round tourist destination, helping to stabilize its economy. Avoided Costs: A stronger, steadier economy will help businesses avoid seasonal layoffs, which in turn will mean fewer unemployment claims to the state.
Indirect Benefits: Through increasing the number of visitors to Dauphin Island, the town can educate more people about the critical role its dunes and wetlands play in protecting the stability of the mainland and adjacent critical habitats. Environmental Benefits: Dauphin Island is a "globally significant" birding area, and its marshes provide nesting and spawning grounds. A more stable economy will help the town protect these bird and seafood habitats.
Environmental Impacts: Because the town vigilantly protects sensitive habitats, there are no foreseen detrimental impacts. Project Monitoring and Performance: Lodging and sales tax data and attendance figures will allow the town to gauge the project's success.
K. Resource Benefit(s):
Benefit(s): Marine Mammals  |  Shellfish  |  Birds  |  Terrestrial Wildlife   |  Reptiles/Amphibians  |  Shoreline  |  Fish  |  Vegetation  |  Recreational Use and Infrastructure 
Benefit State- or
Federally-listed Species? 		No If so, list: