BP Money Buys Sports Towels, Christmas Lights, Jingles
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Updated: 5:04 PM Dec 29, 2011
BP Money Buys Sports Towels, Christmas Lights, Jingles
Officials in the Florida Panhandle have spent tens of millions of dollars of BP's money on a mix of eye-raising purchases that were meant to help restore the area's tourism industry a year after the Gulf oil spill.
Posted: 5:04 PM Dec 29, 2011
Reporter: Mike Schneider and Melissa Nelson, Associated Press
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Panama City Beach, FL (AP) - Officials in the Florida Panhandle have spent tens of millions of dollars of BP's money on a mix of eye-raising purchases that were meant to help restore the area's tourism industry a year after the Gulf oil spill.

An Associated Press review of expenses shows Florida Panhandle tourism bureaus bought sports towels, fleece blankets, fishing and poker tournaments, music festivals, contests and millions of dollars in advertising with $30 million in BP PLC grants.

The promotions and advertising propelled the Panhandle's visitor counts to record numbers this year following a disastrous season last year after the oil spill.

But tourism officials are unsure if the boost will last once the BP money runs out in April.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Annette Location: Tallahassee on Jan 1, 2012 at 05:04 AM

It would have been nice if people whose livelyhood was damaged by the oil spill could have benefitted also. They could have paid for hotel and restaurant discounts, prizes for deep sea fishing expeditions, discount boat rentals, attraction tickets, prizes. People who win these kinds of trips and get these discounts come down and spend money and frequently bring others with them.
Posted by: Steve Florida native/resident on Dec 31, 2011 at 05:09 PM

That's affirmative, Glenn. The crude is lighter than seawater, but when those molecules are satturated they fall to the bottom, that action forms the 'tar balls'. In another item to "tammy" Kevin Costner invented that thing and tried to get them to use it. He spent his own money on the thing...It's like an RO unit on steroids. The sad part about our energy policy is these permits are being granted, but these folks are STILL required to drill in deep water(a mile deep). This will mean that when another accident such as this one comes along, nobody will know squatt until they send down another R.O.V. and that will take weeks. By the way, Mr. Costner brought his tech. shipped it and offered it for free.
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 30, 2011 at 02:50 PM

Where's your full name and address?
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