Accommodations Tax Committee makes funding recs
Danny Weaver spoke to the committee about Darlington Veterans Memorial programs.
Photo by Samantha Lyles
By Samantha Lyles, Staff Writer, slyles@newsandpress.net
The Darlington County Accommodations Tax Committee met on Monday, March 28 and Thursday March 31 to decide on funding recommendations for the 2016/17 fiscal year. The committee is responsible for dispersing a $60,000 funding pool to applicants whose venues and events increase local tourism and overnight hotel stays.
The accommodations tax (A-tax) pool comes from the state-mandated two-percent tax on hotel and motel stays, which is collected by the state and channeled back to counties and municipalities. These agencies then distribute A-tax monies to applicants who can demonstrably increase local tourism.
At the March 28 meeting, applicants were allowed to make a five-minute presentation supporting their funding requests, preferably with data demonstrating how their event draws visitors who utilize Darlington County hotels, motels, and inns, thereby paying back into the accommodations tax coffers.
Among those making presentations was Norm Steadman, executive director of the Greater Darlington Chamber of Commerce. Steadman spoke mainly about the Chamber’s very successful Freedom Fest event, an all-day July 4 fireworks and music festival that drew over 25,000 people to the Darlington Raceway last year. Steadman said that in response to Freedom Fest’s high popularity, Florence has canceled their Independence Day event.
“This is the fireworks event for the region,” said Steadman, noting that any A-Tax money they receive will be used to expand advertising and pull more folks from the Columbia area.
“It’s an easy trip to make, and we think if they come to this event and have a good time, they’ll come back,” said Steadman.
Danny Weaver spoke to the committee about Darlington Veterans Memorial programs, which he said draw an average of 300 visitors per event, with some regular visitors coming into town from Charlotte and Charleston. Weaver said that all 1,216-dedication brick slots have been sold, and a number of those bricks memorialize soldiers from out of state. Other attractions at the site include monuments to World War II hero Billy Farrow and Vietnam War hero James Elliott Williams, and a Killed in Action monument.
Weaver said any A-Tax monies designated for his group would help them promote the site through American Legion direct mailings, and would defray costs of maintenance and operation. Donations to the Darlington Veterans Memorial are tax deductible.
This year, Darlington County received 19 applications for funding, totaling $122,055.00. Applicants included the following organizations and events:
Butler Heritage Week / Butler Heritage Foundation: requesting $15,000; this organization did not apply for A-Tax funding last year. The committee recommended $4,700 in funding this year.
Community Rice Festival / New Vision Community Development Corp.: requesting $8,580; the committee recommended a $2,100 disbursement last year. The committee recommended $3,100 in funding this year.
Darlington Car Hauler Parade & Racefest on The Square / Florence CVB: requesting $5,000; the committee recommended a $3,500 disbursement last year. The committee recommended $2,300 in funding this year.
Eastern SC Heritage Region, Darlington Focus / Florence CVB: requesting $5,000; the committee recommended a $3,000 disbursement last year. The committee recommended $1,000 in funding this year.
Freedom Fest / Darlington Chamber of Commerce: requesting $10,000; the committee recommended a $2,300 disbursement last year. The committee recommended $4,300 in funding this year.
Hartsville Genealogical Library / Old Dton Dist Chapter SC Genealogical Society: requesting $3,000; the committee recommended a $1,600 disbursement last year. The committee recommended $1,400 in funding this year.
Hartsville Tourism / Hartsville Community Development Foundation: requesting $9,975; this organization did not apply for A-Tax funding last year. The committee recommended $4,500 in funding this year.
Lamar Egg Scramble Jamboree: requesting $5,000: the committee recommended a $3,000 disbursement last year. The committee recommended $3,000 in funding this year.
Market on The Square / Darlington Downtown Revitalization Association: requesting $2,500; the committee recommended a $900 disbursement last year. The committee recommended $1,500 in funding this year.
Memorial & Veterans Day Programs / American Legion Post #13: requesting $3,500; this organization did not apply for A-Tax funding last year. The committee recommended $3,000 in funding this year.
Players Championship / SC Junior Golf Foundation: requesting $6,500; the committee recommended a $7,500 disbursement last year. The committee recommended $4,500 in funding this year.
Renofest / Black Creek Arts Council: requesting $15,000; the committee recommended a $10,400 disbursement last year. The committee recommended $11,400 in funding this year.
Society Hill Catfish Festival: requesting $3,000; the committee recommended a $3,000 disbursement last year. The committee recommended $3,000 in funding this year.
S.C. Sweet Potato Festival / Pilot Club of Darlington: requesting $4,000; the committee recommended a $3,200 disbursement last year. The committee recommended $3,000 in funding this year.
Southern Bluegrass Association of SC: requesting $10,000; this organization did not apply for A-Tax funding last year. The committee recommended $1,100 in funding this year.
Taste of Darlington / Darlington Downtown Revitalization Association: requesting $2,500; the committee recommended a $2,000 disbursement last year. The committee recommended $1,700 in funding this year.
The Total Package / Darlington County Cultural Realism Complex: requesting $3,500; the committee recommended a $3,700 disbursement last year. The committee recommended $2,000 in funding this year.
Williamson Park 5K Run/Walk / City of Darlington: requesting $5,000; this organization did not apply for A-Tax funding last year. The committee recommended $1,200 in funding this year.
YMCA’s Loop da Ville, Lickety Split, Turkey Trot, Triathlon, Swim Meets / YMCA: requesting $5,000; the committee recommended a $3,200 disbursement last year. The committee recommended $3,300 in funding this year.
Members of the 2016/17 Darlington County Accommodations Tax Committee include chair Joey Saleeby, vice chair Joyce Wingate, Steve Tinney, Scotty Jeffords, Carol Bishop, Hannah Stanley, and David McFarland.
The recommendations of the Accommodations Tax Committee will be forwarded to Darlington County Council for review and approval at their May meeting.
Darlington County Council’s next regular meeting is scheduled for April 4 at 6 p.m. in the Courthouse Annex located at 1625 Harry Byrd Hwy in Darlington.
