PRT commission approves spring 2026 ATAX grants and several capital and operating expenditures

PRT Director Phil Shirley told commissioners on March 5 that the county is operating with a tighter-than-normal ATAX balance and that staff had temporarily reallocated funds to cover capital priorities. The commission reviewed spring 2026 ATAX grant requests, debated proportional reductions and approved a slate of awards and several capital and operating expenditures in unanimous votes.

Shirley opened the meeting with the treasurer's update, saying the county had to redirect roughly $700,000 toward a capital project (South Cove/Southco pavilion work) and drawn a smaller amount from the state-side allocation. He recommended a conservative available-cash target of $50,000 per funding cycle until revenue improves to preserve a buffer for operations.

The commission then reviewed 12 grant applications and other requests for the spring 2026 cycle. After group deliberations that began with a proposal to test a uniform 50% funding level, commissioners adjusted amounts for specific applicants based on perceived tourism return, matching funds and project readiness. Among the approved awards were:

Votes at a glance: City of Seneca (advertising): $5,000 (motion approved unanimously) City of Walhalla (Brown Square power & vending/novelty machine): $2,000 (approved unanimously) City of Westminster (website supporting William Bartram project): $600 (approved unanimously) Discover Upcountry Carolina Association (regional marketing): $7,500 (approved unanimously) Eagles Nest Art Center (marketing, signage and parking upgrades): $4,000 (approved unanimously) Lake Hartwell Country (Northwest county marketing): $5,000 (approved unanimously) South Carolina Apple Festival (advertising): $4,000 (approved unanimously) Farm Center (road-frontage LED sign and signage): $3,600 (approved unanimously) Upstate Heritage Quilt Trail (interpretive signage/materials): $1,000 (approved unanimously) Wahalla Performing Arts Center (2026 advertising): $6,650 (approved unanimously) Westminster Music Center (facility and marketing support): $6,650 (approved unanimously) Wild Hearts Equine Therapeutic Center (RV infrastructure/animal holding improvements): $4,000 (approved unanimously)

Commissioners said applicants that are early in a project (for example the Westminster website tied to a state grant for a statue) may return in later cycles with fuller matching documentation. Shirley also noted several applicants were eligible for more funding under the ordinance formula but limited their requests; the commission factored eligibility, local match and tourism impact into final award decisions.

Beyond grants, the commission approved a series of capital and operating expenditures presented by Shirley. The commission authorized up to $30,000 to repair and reinstall footers and posts at the South Cove pavilion so the structure can be reopened safely; approved $7,000 to cover unplanned maintenance at South Cove (truss repair, HVAC, playground slide, gate repairs); and approved $12,021.92 to purchase a Hossler 60-inch rear-discharge mower under state contract to replace aging equipment.

Shirley also presented a three-year renewal for the county's short-term rental compliance software (Granicus) at approximately $33,374 per year, saying the system has improved reporting and compliance revenue collection; the commission voted to allocate the funds. The commission approved a $10,000 contribution to a digital sign partnership at the Horton Complex in Westminster to help promote county events to visiting tournament attendees.

BJ Callahan, director of the Westminster Music Center, described the center's progress toward an on-site venue at 216 Main Street and asked for help with staging components and marketing. "We have a venue at 216 Main Street that is really close to being usable at this point," Callahan said, describing plans for community-focused programming, lessons and ticketed concerts. The commission approved $6,650 for the music center to support finishing work and marketing.

Shirley closed with a brief bureau report and capital-project update: the county redirected funds to finish three capital projects (the maintenance building, the White House restoration at Hyde Falls/Alexander Cannon Hill House, and the South Cove pavilion) and expects work to be substantially complete around May, weather permitting. He also reviewed recent media exposure from a Major League Fishing event and noted the Bassmaster Classic will include regional components next year.

The commission set its next meeting for May 7 and scheduled additional meetings in August and November. All motions described above passed unanimously; specific mover/second records were read into the minutes during roll-call voting.