Progress Report 2013

Jekyll Island ~ The Nearest Faraway PlaceJekyll Island ~ The Nearest Faraway Place

In this year’s Progress Report, we present

the many updates and improvements occurring on Jekyll Island. Along with images we

have included the words of guests, clients and residents expressing their reaction to the

revitalization of Jekyll Island.

a letter from Governor Nathan DealAs Governor of Georgia, it is an honor for me to inform you of the great

revitalization that is taking place with Jekyll Island.

The seeds of progress that were sewn several years ago by the Jekyll Island

Authority are producing a new harvest of economic development and activity.

Following the much-heralded opening of the new Jekyll Island Convention Center, a

sparkling example of sensitive coastal development, the island has begun to attract

conventions and visitors back to the Georgia coast.

From day one, the blueprint for revitalization has included responsible

redevelopment. As new structures are carefully placed within the beautiful barrier

island landscape, infrastructure improvements restore and protect the native habitat.

Protecting Jekyll Island’s natural environment is our most important investment for

without careful stewardship we’ll lose the very qualities that make the island so special.

I applaud the members of the Jekyll Island Authority Board of Directors who give

of their time to serve their fellow Georgians. The new Jekyll Island Master Plan, adopted

by the Board in December 2013, shows the clear intention of limiting development and

prioritizing conservation. This is your island resort, the people’s beach, and I hope you

will visit and be part of its ever-emerging story.

Awesome! Love the bike

paths on #Jekyll_ Island

“Was riding some of the new

sections back on May. Really nice!

Look forward to coming back.”

“Biking on Jekyll Island. The

boys and I do this every summer.

Beautiful trails!”

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“#Jekyll Island’s leadership is getting it done.”

Robert W. KruegerVice ChairmanHawkinsville

Jekyll Island is a dichotomy of sorts. As much as we want things to stay the same, change is always taking place. In reality, the constant change is the main ingredient which makes Jekyll Island such a special place.

Every day on Jekyll Island, this axiom is played out naturally. Guests walk along the uncrowded beach, unlike anywhere else on the East coast, and each crashing wave is as unique as the shells that travel with it. The seasons bring about transformation in vegetation, shift in the trade winds and fl ocks of migratory birds making the island their respite. Each morning, the horizon is ablaze with a stunning sunrise. Nightly, island inhabitants congregate on the historic wharf to view, in awe, a kaleidoscope of sunset colors no human hand could produce.

Nature is always creating change on Jekyll Island. Our job has been to create positive change which is in complete harmony with nature. With new parks, bike paths, new Convention Center and forthcoming hotels and beach village, revitalization efforts are fi lling important infrastructure needs while protecting the natural, ecological character of the island.

I am proud to be Chairman of the Jekyll Island Authority Board. I appreciate the commitment of my fellow board members to see that positive change is carefully planned and carried out. And I appreciate the confi dence of Governor Deal and the General Assembly. But mostly I value the public’s trust as we take care of this special place for all Georgians.

a letter from Chairman Richard Royal

Jekyll Island AuthorityBoard of Directors

A. Richard Royal, ChairmanJekyll Island AuthorityCamilla

Michael D. HodgesSecretarySt. Simons

Mark P. WilliamsCommissioner, GaDNRAtlanta

H.M. Buddy DeLoachHinesville

Sybil D. LynnJesup

Stephan B. CroyRichmond Hill

Joy Burch-MeeksScreven

Laura J. LanierStatesboro

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Dear Friends,

Nothing worth doing right is ever easy, but it is extremely rewarding and makes us better in the end. Over the past few years, the Jekyll Island community has witnessed, fi rst-hand, the transformation of aging infrastructure and outdated venues into state of the art facilities while protecting the island’s natural beauty.

This past year we rehabilitated and added miles of bike paths for guests to enjoy. In recognition of this effort, Jekyll Island was named a “Bicycle Friendly Community” by The League of American Bicyclists. New landscaping along the island’s entrance and bike paths feature native plantings like sweet grass to provide important habitat for many species of wildlife.

As revitalization continues, the public can rest assured that development is limited to only replacing outdated facilities. Looking ahead, 2014 will bring about the completion of key commercial components. The new Westin Jekyll Island will open its doors along with new shops and restaurants. Combined with Great Dunes Park and the Convention Center, the new Beach Village will welcome guests and conventioneers into a new hub of activity.

The new Children and Youth Conference Center will provide modern facilities to continue the excellent environmental education programs offered by 4-H staff. It will also accommodate other youth programs and introduce tens of thousands of kids to the Georgia coast.

I am proud to see the plans for revitalization coming to fruition. Even though there is plenty more to do, guests and residents are already enjoying new facilities. It is rewarding to hear the positive comments knowing the best is yet to come.

Respectfully,

Jones Hooks, Executive Director “We visited Jekyll and were so pleasantly surprised by the upgrades on the Island. Congratulations to Team Jekyll. Your vision and hard work is coming to fruition.”

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“Getting to spend Christmas week with family on this jewel of an island is the best present ever!!!”

“One of the best day’s I’ve had in a while. Biking around Jekyll Island.”

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Jekyll Island Revitalization“I am pleased to report continued progress in our efforts

for island-wide revitalization on Jekyll Island. As progress and revitalization continue, the balance between conservation and rejuvenation remains at the forefront of all of our efforts. It is our goal to breathe new life into Jekyll Island, while also maintaining the peaceful, untouched and unique spirit which has, for decades, made Jekyll Island a true treasure for the State of Georgia.”

- Jones Hooks, Executive Director

Revitalization Projects 2014:

• Westin Jekyll IslandUnder Construction, Opening Fall 2014

• Retail/Mixed-Use Beach VillageUnder Construction, Opening Fall 2014

• Holiday Inn ResortUnder Construction, Opening Summer 2014

• Limited Service Hotel - Beach Village Pending Final Financing

• Children & Youth Conference Center Design Development Planning

• Culinary Arts of the College of Coastal Georgia Restaurant Tentative Opening May 2014

• Trammell Crow LLCProposed Plan Due May 2014

• Island Hopper Bike TrailConstruction Drawings In-Progress,

Bid August 2014

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“Some terrifi c, positive and exciting things happening on Jekyll Island.”

“Great update and plans for the future!”

“The conference experience at Jekyll Island is exceptional and rewarding. I recommend Jekyll Island as a confer-ence destination without reservation and with great-est enthusiasm.”

“Throughout the Convention Center, hints of the coastal environment are found. Waves that mimic sand dunes have been etched into the walls of the ballroom, with wave-like shapes used in silver lighting hung overhead, all of which bring to mind the call of the ocean.”

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“One of the most beautiful sunsets I have experienced “One of the most beautiful sunsets I have experienced in my life!! #JekyllIsland”in my life!! #JekyllIsland”

“Great family vacation and wonderful golf course.” #HappyCustomer

“What a beautiful place! The aerial video is great.”

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“My favorite place…love Jekyll Island.”

“I love it because there are no houses on the beach,

only nature.”

“Biking on Jekyll Island today. “Biking on Jekyll Island today. The view is breath taking.”The view is breath taking.”

“There is a beautiful, relaxing charm to Jekyll Island – the Spanish moss and the coast just kind of melt your cares away.”

“We have been biking all over the island this week. The new paths are Awesome!!”

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“Great job! We thoroughly enjoyed being there and look forward to more turtle releases.”

“Great to see your profi le on LinkedIn. I was at the Turtle Crawl triathlon this past year, it was beautiful and we had a blast. Had a fab lunch at the Rah Bar too. What a great island you have.”

“BEAUTIFUL @toneitup run this morning! I wouldn’t be mad if I got this scenery every day.” #jekyllisland

“Just got home, missing Jekyll already.”

“Great customer service - never tried Key Lime Pie and they were the only one in the terminal who sold it - but were closing! They kindly sold me a piece anyway and it satisfi ed my English appetite!”

Jekyll Island Seafood Co. Restaurant, Terminal F, Atlanta Hartsfi eld Jackson International Airport

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“There is a beautiful, relaxing charm “There is a beautiful, relaxing charm to Jekyll Island – the Spanish moss and the to Jekyll Island – the Spanish moss and the coast just kind of melt your cares away.”coast just kind of melt your cares away.”

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Jekyll Island Master PlanThe Jekyll Island Master Plan is a critical tool for managing the balance of limited commercial and

residential development, the conservation of the Island’s pristine and delicate ecosystem, and preserva-tion of the Island’s natural and cultural resources. The most recent Jekyll Island Master Plan was adopted in 1996 in response to legislative action. The 1996 plan was subsequently updated in 2004 with technical amendments.

While a new Master Plan was not required, in 2010 the Jekyll Island Authority (JIA) began the plan-ning process by issuing a public Request for Information (RFI). This was the fi rst step of many to capture public input and engage all stakeholders in the planning process.

A primary goal of the new Master Plan was to determine the developed and undeveloped areas in order to evaluate compliance with the 1972 law limiting development on Jekyll Island. The newly adopted plan achieves this goal by applying national standards to determine land use; combined with the latest technology for measuring land boundaries and elevation.

The new Master Plan will guide future decision making by the JIA through the following components:

• A vision for Jekyll Island’s future.

• Updated maps for the developed and undeveloped portions of the island based on current best practices and relevant technology and data sources.

• Application of best practices related to land use classifi cation and updates Jekyll Island’s land-use classifi cation system.

• A detail specifi c, fi ve-year, short-term implementation program.

• Inclusion of public and stakeholder input.

Based on the newly applied national land-use classifi cation standards, Jekyll Island currently has 1,597 acres of development. The new Master Plan continues the current focus on redevelopment into the future and does not identify any areas of future new development (except for an expansion of the camp-ground) which would encroach on currently undeveloped areas. In moving to the fi xed-acreage limit, it was important to determine an acreage limit that provides the JIA with fl exibility to respond to future needs, including revised government mandates, changes in business and recreational trends and other unknowns. The new Master Plan limits development to 1,675 acres allowing 78 acres additional acres to be developed as follows: 12 acres for campground expansion; 46 acres for public safety, public health, or recreational purposes only; and 20 acres with unrestricted use. This ”fi xed-acreage” solution provides certainty around the total acres available for development on Jekyll Island. It focuses the JIA on rede-velopment opportunities within the existing developed areas while allowing fl exibility to address future needs including additional recreation opportunities that the public desires.

Upon adoption by the JIA Board on December 16, 2013, the new Master Plan recommended that legislation be introduced for approval by the General Assembly to codify the 1,675 acre limit. The legis-lation would supersede the existing “65/35” law. The JIA has worked with a consensus of stakeholders to develop the appropriate legislation. These stakeholders include the JIA Board, the Jekyll Island Legis-lative Oversight Committee, The Georgia Conservancy, GreenLaw, the Initiative to Protect Jekyll Island, and the Offi ce of Legislative Counsel. The result is a positive step in securing a clear path and prosperous future for Jekyll Island for future generations.

Jekyll Island Land Use, 2013

Land Use Developed (developed)

Dune (undeveloped)

Fairway (developed)

Firebreak (developed)

Freshwater wetland (undeveloped)

Natural/forest/marsh (undeveloped)

Pond (developed)

Jekyll IslandConvention Center

$39.5 million

Great Dunes Park$2 million

Entry Corridor$2.8 million

Infrastructure/Roads$4.34 million

Beach Village Retail$7 million**

Hampton Inn & Suites$22 million

The Morgan Center$2 million / $1.5 million

Jekyll Island Club Hotel Beach Village Suites - $8 million*

Westin Jekyll Island$41 million**

Flash Foods/Dairy Queen$2 million

Limited Service Hotel - Beach Village$17.8 million*

Holiday Inn Resort$16 million**

Beach Village Retail Build Out$3 million*

*Projected**Under Construction

Private Investment - $111,800,000

Public Investment - $57,140,000

Public investment in the revitalization of Jekyll Island is expected to generate a two-fold amount of private return. New hotels, shops and restaurants will compliment the new Jekyll Island Convention Center. Public/Private investment will provide a unique coastal vacation and convention destination.

Jekyll Island Revitalization: Public/Private Investment

Jekyll Island Sales & Marketing: Meetings & Convention Bookings

Meetings & Convention business is vital to the success of Jekyll Island. Many groups that once met on Jekyll Island now meet in other destinations outside the state of Georgia. The new Jekyll Island Convention Center and hotels in the adjacent beach village are a game-changer and will allow Jekyll Island to once again compete for regional business. The stabilized goal is to host 120 Meetings & Conventions with overnight rooms annually generating 170,000 room nights per year.

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2017 20182016

120

100

80

60

40

20

0

53

45

39

3022 21

213

6369 70

80

90

110

120

69

2013 Group Bookings

45,581

Projected Room Nights

42,171

Total Attendees

$12,348,669

Est. Economic Impact

44

2014 Group Bookings

25,377

Projected Room Nights

28,590

Total Attendees

$7,587,723

Est. Economic Impact

44

Number of Meetings & Conventions Generating Hotel Room Nights - Actual and Contracted

Sales Goal - Stabilized 120 Annual Meetings & Conventions. Estimated Annual Economic Impact: $14,352,000.

Jekyll Island Financial Information:

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FY 2013 FY 2012 VARIANCE(000's) %

RevenuesAdministrationBusiness Leases 2,884,649$ 2,681,279$ 203$ 8%Hotel Tax 1,261,733 1,197,429 64 5%Parking 2,572,677 2,196,302 376 17%Interest (4,720) 9,284 (14) 151%Lot Rentals 258,877 364,821 (106) 29%Foundation 105,628 43,400 62 143%Grants 2,375 4,395 (2) 46%Administration revenue 94,327 90,549 4 4%Employee Housing 16,450 16,675 (0) 1%

Total Administration 7,191,996$ 6,604,134$ 588$ 9%

EnterprisesGolf 1,572,668$ 1,696,245$ ( 124 )$ 7%Food & Beverage Conv. Ctr. 1,621,184 936,611 685 73%Food & Beverage Restaurants 1,129,354 1,119,218 10 1%Summer Waves 1,798,061 1,601,237 197 12%Campground 1,092,275 1,029,494 63 6%Museum 643,552 757,317 (114) 15%Georgia Sea Turtle Center 1,289,149 1,209,953 79 7%Conservation 3,729 0 4 0%Miniature Golf & Bikes 259,380 290,081 (31) 11%Water/Wastewater 912,497 986,982 (74) 8%Sanitation 405,231 296,238 109 37%Fire Department 870,646 853,549 17 2%Tennis 50,976 52,915 (2) 4%Destination Mktg & Special Events 324,425 294,845 30 10%Guest Information Center 77,930 64,741 13 20%Advertising 0 40,982 (41) 100%Soccer 27,400 7,025 20 290%Landscaping, Roads & Trails 35,667 34,658 1 3%Vehicle & Equipment Maintenance 108 910 (1) 88%Facility Maintenance 609 0 1 0%Golf Course Maintenance 9 0 0 0%

Total Enterprises 12,114,850$ 11,273,001$ 842$ 7%

Total Revenues 19,306,846$ 17,877,135$ 1,430$ 8%=============== =============== ========= =========

FY 2013 FY 2012 VARIANCE(000's) %

ExpendituresHuman Resources 10,150,315$ 9,933,427$ 217$ 2%Supplies & Materials 1,611,689 1,474,457 137 9%Advertising & Sales 720,856 800,626 (80) 10%Repairs Facilities & Grounds 1,020,704 1,034,053 (13) 1%Utilities 1,360,328 1,215,697 145 12%Insurance 670,198 608,072 62 10%Contracts 2,189,669 925,150 1,265 137%Rentals 274,037 252,214 22 9%Printing 211,198 123,814 87 71%Motor Vehicle 258,009 233,945 24 10%Telephone 101,847 74,120 28 37%Equipment Purchase <$1K 59,613 46,187 13 29%Equipment Purchase $1K to $5K 53,202 20,714 32 157%Travel 75,246 84,344 (9) 11%Dues 74,891 83,600 (9) 10%Satellite Transmitters & time 8,273 7,132 1 16%Interest Expense 24,587 39,703 (15) 38%

Total Expenditures 18,864,661$ 16,957,255$ 1,907$ 11%

Net Operating Cash Income ** 442,184$ 919,880$ ( 478 )$ 52%=============== =============== ========= =========

Additional Cash Outlay:Fire Department Equipment Fund ( 25,000 )$ ( 50,000 )$Capital Equipment Purchases (114,416) (96,680)Bond Payment (554,759) (539,643)

Reserve Contribution/Reduction ( 251,991 )$ 233,557$=============== =============== ===================

Jekyll Island Authority Financial Results for Fiscal 2013*

*The fi nancial informa on contained in this self-published Jekyll Island Authority Annual Report contain some unaudited fi gures and are presented in a budget basis format which is used for opera onal management and oversight (deprecia on and capital expenses not included). Generally Accepted Accoun ng Principles (GAAP) basis fi nancial reports are available by request. Jekyll Island Authority’s fi nancial informa on is reviewed each year by the State Department of Audits and is included in the State of Georgia’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). Financial stewardship is a high priority and Jekyll Island Authority has a history of clean audit reports. All fi nancial informa on contained in this self-published report are believed to be accurate and error-free, but should only be used for informa onal purposes. The Jekyll Island Authority shall not be liable for any loss of profi t or any other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequen al or other damages related to uninten onal typographical or other errors, omissions or inaccuracies of the informa on contained in this document.

Jekyll Island ~ The Nearest Faraway PlaceJekyll Island ~ The Nearest Faraway Place

jekyllisland.com • 877.453-5955

100 James Road, Jekyll Island, Georgia 31527

On Jekyll Island, you are close to nature, close to home, and you’llexperience a place you’ll hold close to your heart. Journey here and

fall into rhythm with nature. Feel the warm, salty air breeze off the ocean and watch as the billowy tide washes away your footprints,

preparing the beach anew for those that will come next.

The mission of the Jekyll Island Authority is to maintain, develop, beautify, and promote the Island as a unique vacation

and meeting destination.