On April 20, 2010 the Deepwater Horizon oil platform exploded in the Gulf of Mexico.  Over the next four months, oil poured into the Gulf at the rate of 2.6 million gallons per day.  Though shore contamination was limited, the spill resulted in demonstrated economic impacts throughout the Gulf Coast.  This tourist dependent region with a highly seasonal economy experienced a marked decrease in economic activity in the wake of the spill.  These impacts were driven by worldwide media coverage and the perception of contamination throughout the region.  The affected region includes Florida's southwest coast as far south as Collier County.