Clearwater Beach hotels, restaurants, and shops secured three tourism-related wins in Tallahassee when Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Florida's 2026-27 state budget on Monday, June 29, according to the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce.

The budget directs $43 million to Pinellas County beach nourishment projects through the state's Strategic Beach Management Plan, the chamber says. It also preserves the Tourist Development Tax that funds local tourism marketing and provides $80 million for Visit Florida, the state's promotional agency. The chamber lobbied for all three items during the 2026 legislative session.

"Our beaches are the foundation of our local economy, and protecting them while continuing to invest in tourism marketing ensures our businesses remain strong and our communities continue to thrive," Charlie Justice, president and CEO of the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber, said in a statement.

What the money means for Clearwater

The $43 million is earmarked for restoring eroded shoreline and improving coastal resilience across Pinellas County. The Sand Key barrier island, which stretches from Clearwater Pass to John's Pass in Madeira Beach, was last fully nourished in 2012. Hurricane seasons in 2023 and 2024 caused significant additional damage.

The chamber says the statewide Strategic Beach Management Plan totals $86 million, though the governor's budget summary lists $64 million in statewide beach nourishment funding. The chamber did not explain the discrepancy.

Separately, Pinellas County and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers signed an amendment to their Project Cooperation Agreement in June 2026 that opens new pathways for the county to access federal beach nourishment dollars, including removing the requirement that easements be permanent.

Tourist Development Tax preserved

Lawmakers left the Tourist Development Tax intact. The 6% levy on overnight hotel and vacation-rental stays funds Visit St. Pete-Clearwater, the county's destination marketing organization led by President and CEO Brian Lowack. That agency reported a record spring: 4.7 million visitors between February and April generated $36.16 million in lodging-tax collections, up 7.7% year-over-year.

Tourism generates more than $10 billion in annual economic impact in Pinellas County, supports roughly 100,000 jobs, and saves each county household nearly $2,000 a year in property taxes through tourism-generated revenue, according to Visit St. Pete-Clearwater.

Legislative push

State Sen. Ed Hooper credited the chamber's advocacy on beach nourishment, the Tourist Development Tax, and Visit Florida funding, saying it helps keep the coastal economy competitive. The chamber contracts with lobbyist R.J. Myers to advance its priorities in Tallahassee.

No timeline has been announced for when the $43 million in nourishment projects will begin construction. As we reported July 30, Pinellas County is separately collecting resident beach photos to support its federal funding application for Sand Key projects along Indian Shores and Redington Shores.