Tourism-related projects can seek funding

The City of Aiken's State Accommodations Tax Committee is accepting funding requests for the next fiscal year. The requests should be for tourism-related projects that will take place from July 1, 2010, through June 30, 2011, according to Lisa Hall, supervisor for the City's Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department.

"We're looking to see projects that will get people to come into town and stay the night," she said. State accommodation tax grants are available for qualifying nonprofit or government organizations.

Hall recently said the City has not received as much funding as in the past because people are not traveling as much because of the economy.

"In years past we've gotten a lot more money and were able to fund more events," she said. "We're hoping things will pick back up soon."

In the July 2008 through June 2009 fiscal year, the City received about $164,000, which went to funding 15 projects, Hall said. For the current fiscal year, the committee is looking to fund 13 projects. Members are projecting that they will have less money to work with, she said.

"We're estimating that we're going to get about $134,000 to disperse," Hall said.

She said the committee bases its funding decisions on the amount of tourists an event draws and the money it brings to the City.

"The accommodations tax committee works very hard to make sure that the money is being divided up equally," she said.

All applications, whether by mail or in person, must be received at the H. Odell Weeks Activities Center by 3 p.m. on Feb. 16.

Those interested should contact the City of Aiken Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department for a handbook and application. Applications are available at Odell Weeks, 1700 Whiskey Road, and online by e-mailing Hall at lhall@cityofaikensc.gov or visiting www.cityofaikensc.gov.

Applications submitted by mail should be returned to City of Aiken PRT Department, Attn. Lisa Hall, A-tax Program, P.O. Box 1177, Aiken, SC 29802.

Hall said the applications can be challenging for organizations applying for the first time. She urges people who need help to call her office to set up an appointment.

A review of project applications by the committee has been tentatively scheduled for Feb. 24 at 3 p.m. at Rye Patch, 100 Berrie Road. For more information, contact Hall at 642-7650 or lhall@cityofaikensc.gov.