Beaufort County doled out millions in tourist tax money. Here’s who got funding this year
The Beaufort County Council recently unanimously approved how to dole out almost $5 million in grants to local organizations and projects aimed to promote tourism and activities for residents and visitors.
The funding is derived from the 3% local accommodations tax, known as “A-TAX” and often dubbed the “tourist tax” because it’s charged for any hotel room rental in the county, and the hospitality tax, “H-TAX,” that’s imposed on prepared meals and beverages. The Local Accommodation Tax Fund budgeted $2,579,920 to award for 2022 and Local Hospitality Tax Fund budgeted $2,396,736.
The combined $4,976,656 was divided among 17 events, projects and organizations, such as pickleball courts in the northern part of the county, an event the Sea Turtle Patrol on Hilton Head Island is hosting, the Pat Conroy Literacy Center, the placement of a Harriet Tubman statue at a historic church, and more.
Groups were required to apply for A-TAX funding by the end of 2021 and the applications were reviewed by the Location Accommodation Tax and Local Hospitality Tax Committee. The committee decides “compliance with the local statutes and their individual need and merit,” a county news release said.
Any unspent revenue will be included in next year’s total funding or possibly be awarded during the year, Beaufort County spokesperson Chris Ophardt said.
Where the money will go
▪ Whitehall Park Construction on Lady’s Island: $560,478
▪ Annual Boat Landing Maintenance: $200,000
▪ Burton Wells Pickleball Courts: $200,000 ($140,000 awarded by State A-TAX)
▪ Daufuskie Island Beach Access and Restrooms: $250,000
▪ Beaufort Executive Airport - Terminal Exterior Rejuvenation: $75,000
▪ Hilton Head Island Airport Air Service Marketing: $30,000
▪ Broad River Fishing Pier - Phase II: $230,000
▪ Friends of Port Royal Cypress Wetlands - Trail Map Brochure Birthday for the Birds 2022: $1,375 (partial award for marketing funds)
▪ HHI St. Pat’s Parade Foundation - 2022 St. Patrick’s Day Parade: $10,000
▪ Daufuskie Island Foundation Daufuskie Day Celebration: $12,600
▪ Sea Turtle Patrol HHI - Sea Turtle Hospitality Event: $5,000
▪ 2023 Beaufort Oyster Festival: $20,000 (full award for marketing, police, fire and security costs. City of Beaufort co-sponsors event and contributes in-kind services.)
▪ Pat Conroy Literacy Center: $134,000
▪ Gullah Museum of HHI - Gullah Museum Migrant House Renovation Project: $36,875
▪ First African Baptist Church of Beaufort - Repair and Preservation of Church: $259,480
▪ Tabernacle Baptist Church - Harriet Tubman Statue: $250,000
Groups denied funding, and why
Eight groups were not given the funding they requested. Here’s whose applications were denied and the reason, according to the news release.
▪ Okatie River Park Construction: The committee said the project was deemed not enough of a tourist draw to fund.
▪ Friends of Beaufort County Library - Annual Book Sale: The committee said the event is at a facility owned by another entity and the council encouraged the group to pursue funding from the city of Beaufort instead.
▪ Penn Center - Phase II: The committee said the funds from the 2019 Award were unspent making the Penn Center ineligible for further funding at this time.
▪ Public Boat Landings Study: The committee deemed the study outside the scope of allowable A-TAX/HT-AX allocations.
▪ Friends of Beaufort County Library Story Walk: The committee said all signs will be installed within the City of Beaufort although the final sites are not yet determined, but the city of Beaufort has not yet been approached for A-TAX funding.
▪ Beaufort Co. Black Chamber of Commerce (multiple events): The committee said the group’s reporting was incomplete and previous awards unspent so the chamber is Ineligible for further awards.
▪ Port Royal Sound Foundation Research Campus: The committee said the group’s reporting was incomplete and previous awards were unspent so the foundation is ineligible for further awards.
▪ Wimbee Creek Fishing Pier: The committee said demolition on its own is not an allowable expense.
