Lexington County advisory board recommends $426,096 in accommodations-tax grants, forwards list to County Council

The Lexington County Accommodations Tax Advisory Board on Feb. 5 voted to forward recommended awards totaling $426,096 to Lexington County Council for final approval, after hearing in-person presentations from tourism, sports and cultural organizations across the county.

The board’s recommendation includes the statutorily required 30% allocation to the regional Capital City Lake Murray Country (listed as Capital City Lake Murray Country) totaling $136,136 and a slate of smaller grants to local chambers, museums, sports programs and event producers. The board approved the package by a show-of-hands vote and directed staff to forward the recommendation to County Council for final action.

Why it matters: The accommodations tax (ATAX) is restricted by state law to tourism-related uses, and the advisory board’s recommendations shape which local festivals, venues and visitor programs receive marketing and operations support for the coming fiscal year. The board emphasized sports tourism, regional advertising and family attractions during this year’s presentations.

Most of the meeting consisted of 20-minute presentations from applicants and a round of questions. Highlights cited by presenters and included in the board’s deliberations:

- Sports tourism: Lexington County Recreation and…