A-Tax Committee makes funding recommendations
By Samantha Lyles, Staff Writer, slyles@newsandpress.net
The Darlington County Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee met on Thursday, April 12 to decide how to divvy up a shrinking pool of money designated for local tourism-related festivals and events. This year, the committee received 19 requests for funding, totaling $110,784, while the funding pool has shrunk to just $25,000.
During the past few years, Accommodations Tax revenue has declined from approximately $82,000 to $65,000 to $55,000. The county appropriates from $49,000 to $60,000 to tourism-related programs. Also, three years ago, for the first time, the county began allocating the first $25,000 in accommodations tax funds plus 5 percent of the balance to the General Fund, as authorized by state law.
Requests this year were as follows:
• Black Creek Arts Council: $3,000
• Black Creek Arts Council / Yoga & Healing Arts Fest: $5,000
• Butler Heritage Foundation: $4,000
• City of Darlington / Williamson Park 5K Run: $2,500
• Darlington Chamber of Commerce / Freedom Fest: $15,000
• Darlington Downtown Revitalization / Taste of Darlington: $2,500
• E&E Benefit Concert / American Cancer Society: $10,000
• E&E Benefit Concert / Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: $5,000
• EdVenture, Inc. / EdVenture Hartsville Satellite: $5,000
• Florence CVB / Racefest on the Square: $3,000
• Hartsville Community Center Bldg. Comm / Center Theater: $12,704
• Hartsville Community Dev Foundation / Ag+Art Tour: $1,000
• Lamar Egg Scramble: $3,000
• New Vision Community Dev / Annual Community Rice Fest: $8,580
• Pilot Club / Sweet Potato Festival: $4,000
• SC Junior Golf Foundation / Players Championship: $7,500
• Society Hill Catfish Festival: $3,000
• Southeastern Bluegrass Assoc.: $10,000
• YMCA of Upper Pee Dee / Hartsville YMCA: $6,000
After consideration, the Committee made the following recommendations:
• Black Creek Arts Council and Black Creek Arts Council/Yoga & Healing Arts Fest: $2,500
• Butler Heritage Foundation: $2,500
• E&E Benefit Concert/ American Cancer Society and E&E Benefit Concert/Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: $3,000
• Hartsville Community Center Bldg. Comm/Center Theater: $8,500
• Hartsville Community Dev Foundation/Ag+Art Tour: $500
• SC Junior Golf Foundation/Players Championship: $6,200
• Southeastern Bluegrass Association: $1,500
• YMCA of Upper Pee Dee/Hartsville YMCA: $300
Also worth noting, the Committee recommends allocating funds for four annual festivals from Darlington County’s Hospitality Tax revenue:
• Lamar Egg Scramble $ 3,000
• New Vision Community Dev/Rice Festival $ 3,000
• Pilot Club/Sweet Potato Festival $ 3,000
• Society Hill Catfish Festival $ 3,000
The Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee’s recommendations will be passed along to Darlington County Council for review and final approval.