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Bluffton council approves ATAC grant awards including farmers market and May River Theater
Summary
Council approved ATAC (accommodation tax advisory committee) recommendations totaling roughly $193,056 for events and cultural organizations: Farmers Market of Bluffton ($55,300), New Bluffton Worship ($25,100), Society of Bluffton Artists ($27,000), Congregation Beth Yam ($2,830), Historic Bluffton Foundation (partial $20,000), May River Theater ($42,826) and others, with council discussing sustainability and expectations for recipients.
The Town Council approved the ATAC committee’s quarterly funding recommendations for tourism and arts projects, voting to allocate about $193,056 across six applicants.
Grants approved and rationale - Farmers Market of Bluffton — $55,300 awarded to support the 2025 market season. Council noted the market’s consistent draw and staff indicated the award follows ATAC scoring and budget breakdowns. - New Bluffton Worship ‘Christmas Under the Stars’ — $25,100 recommended and approved for a December event at Oyster Factory Park; council asked staff to track advertising spend compared with attendance. - Society of Bluffton Artists — $27,000 to support outreach January–August 2025. - Congregation Beth Yam — $2,830 for a Hanukkah celebration at Martin Family Park. - Historic Bluffton Foundation — after discussion about operational dependence and expectations for sustainability, council approved a partial first‑quarter award of $20,000 with the town manager tasked to negotiate performance terms and cost breakdowns (docent costs) before further awards. - May River Theater — $42,826 for 2025 advertising and promotion of the theater season.
Council discussion focused on accountability and sustainability: members noted past operational support given when the Historic Bluffton Foundation operated the welcome center and said future awards should prioritize marketing and events rather than core operational salaries. The council asked staff to require more detailed reporting and to negotiate memoranda of understanding with organizations receiving operational support.
