Hartsville to disburse over $131,000 in A-Tax funds
By Samantha Lyles, Staff Writer, slyles@newsandpress.net
The City of Hartsville State-Local Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee met on Tuesday, May 22 and heard presentations from applicants whose organizations and events promote local tourism.
Hartsville’s A-Tax Committee is charged with disbursing revenues collected through a statewide 2-percent tax on hotel stays and distributing that to entities that bring in visitors from over 50 miles away. The committee received requests from 12 applicants asking for a total of $191,852.
As the city’s designated local tourism agency, the Hartsville Community Development Foundation (HCDF) Tourism Office receives the first 30 percent of A-Tax revenue from the initial funding pool of $131,710.
The HCDF Hartsville Tourism Office and Neptune Island Waterpark requested $31,709 for marketing efforts, and the committee recommended an award of $28,832. Neptune Island general manager Juan Encarnacion told the committee he expects the multi-million dollar water park to open in mid-June. Attractions will include a lazy river, a wave pool, and multiple water slides.
“We are expecting to generate about 90,000 visitors to the water park every year,” said Encarnacion, noting that he estimates 20 percent of those visitors will be tourists who come to Hartsville and spend multiple days enjoying the park. He added that the city’s Piratesville Splash Pad already draws about 20,000 guests per year, and Neptune Island should grow that number dramatically.
Encarnacion said that advertising would focus on billboards and media designed to attract guests driving within about a sixty-mile radius of the park.
“Our goal is to use this (A-tax) money to not only get them to visit for a day, but to get them here for the weekend,” said Encarnacion.
The EdVenture Children’s Museum requested $20,000 for marketing and advertising of their Hartsville satellite location, and they received $15,000. Nikki Hill, EdVenture executive vice president, said construction on the 6,000 square-foot museum is almost complete and it should be open in early June.
“We will provide a unique, hands-on museum experience for children and families living in and visiting Hartsville, Darlington County, and the surrounding area,” said Hill, noting that EdVenture will be “an added attraction” to people visiting the city for other reasons.
• EdVenture is located at 146 West Carolina Avenue in Hartsville.
• Butler Heritage Foundation requested and received $5,000 to do advertising for their annual Heritage Week events, including dinners, dances, parades, sporting events, musical entertainment, and tailgate celebrations.
• The Hartsville Community Center Building Commission / Center Theater requested $60,907 to carry out a major Phase II Stage Lighting upgrade. The committee awarded this applicant $25,407.
• The South Carolina Junior Golf Foundation Player’s Championship asked for and received $5,000 for advertising costs. The November event regularly brings in over 150 junior golfers and their families, who stay in Hartsville for two to three days.
• Hartsville Community Organization Inc. asked for $6,500 to do advertising for the Frets & Necks Music Festival, and the committee recommended an award of $500.
• Hartsville Museum Foundation requested $2,265 to advertise their ‘A Season of Art’ program and received a disbursement recommendation of $500.
• Baylorball Invitational Travel Ball Tournament requested $5,000 to advertising their event and were granted $500.
• Thomas Hart Academy asked for $5,000 to advertise their annual Edwin McCain fundraising concert, and the committee recommended $500.
• YMCA of the Upper Pee Dee requested and received $6,000 to advertising a variety of races and events held throughout the year.
• The Greater Hartsville Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center asked for and received $7,680 to fund various information and marketing campaigns.
These recommendations will be forwarded to Hartsville City Council for review, amendment, and approval at their June 12 meeting before any funding disbursements are finalized and distributed to applicants.