Berkeley County approves State Accommodations Tax funding for local organizations

Berkeley County has awarded approximately $105,307 in Accommodations Tax (A-Tax) funding to 17 different local nonprofits and organizations. County Council approved the recommended funding allocations made by the Berkeley County Accommodations Tax Committee at its meeting on Monday, November 27, 2023. Watch the full meeting HERE.

Berkeley County opened an application period August 1-31, 2023, for interested organizations to apply for State Accommodations Tax funds. The County established an Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee—each Council member appointing one committee member from his/her respective district—to review applicants and determine eligible groups before making a recommendation to Council. The Committee also held a public meeting in September.

Funding has been awarded to the following groups:

• Alvin Recreational League (Alvin Homecoming Festival) – $2,500
• Berkeley County Museum (Berkeley 250 Heritage and Cultural Tourism) – $16,500
• Berkeley North Historical & Cultural Association (Berkeley North Christmas Concert 2023) – $1,500
• Bradley Blake Foundation (Tri-County Orange Walk)                – $1,000
• Charleston Wine + Food (Charleston Wine + Food Festival) – $10,000
• City of Hanahan (Red, White and Blue Festival) – $2,500                        
• Jean’s Angels (Jean’s Angels Heart for the Homeless) – $3,500
• Mepkin Abbey (Creche Festival of Mepkin Abbey) – $5,000
• Santee Cooper (Celebrate the Season) – $7,500
• Small Town Restoration, Inc. (Berkeley County ShowOffz Car Show) – $807.17
• Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, Inc. (2024 South Eastern Wildlife Exposition) – $20,000
• Spiritual Union Association of Oakley SC Inc. (Annual August Picnic 2024) – $500
• St. Stephen Growth & Development, Inc. (Community Appreciation Festival) – $2,500
• Summerville Family YMCA (2024 Summerville Family YMCA Flowertown Festival) – $10,000
• Town of Moncks Corner (South Carolina Athletic Program Softball State Tournament) – $20,000
• Wassamasaw Tribe of Varnertown Indians (Wassamasaw Tribe Powwow) – $750
• Wassamassaw Recreation League (WRL Fall Festival) – $750

According to Section 6-4-10 of State Law, Accommodations Tax is to be used exclusively “tourism-related expenditures.” For a full list of such expenditures, read the state law HERE.