Barnwell County 2023 Accommodations Tax: Nine local groups receive funding for tourism

Everytime you make a purchase in Barnwell County, a 2 percent accommodations tax (A-Tax) is included. How municipalities and counties can use the earnings from this tax is detailed in S.C. Code of Laws Chapter 4 Section 6-4-5. 

From the 2023 A-Tax, Barnwell County received $92,801.90 in total. 

Municipalities and counties collecting more than $50,000 from the accommodations tax must; 

1. Allocate the first $25,000 to the general fund.
2. Allocate 5 percent of the balance to the general fund. 
1. For Barnwell County this totaled $3,390.09. 
3. Allocate 30 percent to the municipalities or counties designated marketing organization.
1. For Barnwell County, this organization is the Southern Palmetto Chamber of Commerce and this allotment totaled $19,323.54. 
4. The remaining balance plus earned interest received must be allocated back to community organizations through the recommendations of a designated committee. 
1. For Barnwell County, the remainder of this funding was $45,088.26 to be split amongst local groups. 

To determine how this $45,088.26 was distributed into the community, the A-Tax Committee was formed in early spring and tasked with creating a grant application. On this committee is Carson Alexander, Sunil Tch, Shonda Crawford, Shelby Broomfield, Shawnta Harrison, Russell Hodges, and Evelyn Coker. 

The Barnwell County Accommodations Tax Grant Program began accepting applications in May. 

“The primary goal of the Barnwell County A-TAX Grant Program is to utilize tax proceeds to foster tourism,” states the county’s website. “This competitive grants program is dedicated to distributing A-TAX funds to qualifying organizations to achieve the following objectives: maximize the use of county funds and enhance accountability for A-Tax funds.” 

There were nine total applicants. All were funded, and funding was capped at $5,000. 

• The People-Sentinel for Faces and Places of Barnwell County magazine – $5,000
• Sweetwater Country Club for the Masters 2025 golf promotion – $5,000 
• Axis I Center of Barnwell for the Barnwell Farmers Market Ag & Art Tour for Barnwell County – $5,000
• Southern Palmetto Foundation for the BBQ, Blues, & Boos event – $5,000
• Blackville Music & Arts Festival – $5,000
• King George Lavender Farm for the Annual Lavender Festival – $5,000
• Barnwell Sundial Festival – $5,000
• Williston Disc Golf Club for tournaments and maintenance – $4,000
• Dreams, Imaginations, & Gifts (DIG) Development Program STEM Festival – $5,000 

This totals $44,000 for local groups to promote tourism. The remaining $1,088.26 will roll into next year’s A-Tax allotment for grants unless county council instructs otherwise, according to administrator Meredith Wright. 

According to Councilman Daniel Alexander, the finance committee reviewed the allocations and commended the A-Tax committee for their work on this project as well as Councilman Houston. 

“I would encourage others in the community to apply,” Alexander, who made a motion to approve the allocations with a second by Councilman Houston. 

The DIG STEM Festival is receiving A-Tax grant funding, and already receives $5,000 from the county in the budget. However, considering the budget is passed and the checks have been cut, they will receive funding from the county and the A-Tax grant. 

In the future, this organizations may have to go through the A-Tax grant application rather than receiving funding directly from the county. However, that will be determined by a future council. 

For more information about the A-Tax grants, visit the county website.