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Goose Creek group explores using state accommodation tax to draw events to amphitheater
Summary
At a Goose Creek events meeting, attendees discussed using state accommodation tax funds to promote the city amphitheater, recruit regional promoters and coordinate with Charleston venues; members set a follow-up working meeting and moved to adjourn after exchanging contact information.
The Goose Creek events group discussed tapping state accommodation tax funds to help attract larger performances and festivals to the city amphitheater, a participant said as the meeting opened.
A local business owner told the group: "These are monies that the state is sitting on," and urged the committee to consider using the funds to promote the amphitheater and bring in venues or promoters that could raise attendance and economic activity in Goose Creek.
Why it matters: The accommodation tax is collected from lodging and can be used by local governments to promote tourism and events. Group members said Goose Creek lacks the marketing infrastructure of nearby Charleston and Somerville and suggested using the funds to jump-start a sustained event calendar that would benefit local retailers and restaurants.
Discussion and proposals included reaching out to the Coliseum and Performing Arts Center (Scott Keith), fast-tracking proven promoters for 2027 dates, coordinating with Theatre 99 and Charleston County Parks, and exploring whether the funding can support a chamber-like marketing function. One participant noted a legal limit affecting breweries: "You can't brew and retail at the same time," which can restrict some local vendor participation.
Speakers also debated practical issues: parking, calendar conflicts with nearby Mount Pleasant and Somerville, promoter selection, and how to measure return on investment. The group suggested leveraging regional events (Broadway series and Charleston festivals) to funnel visitors to Goose Creek activities.
Next steps: Members agreed to convene a working-group meeting on May 18 at 6:30 a.m. to consolidate ideas, identify promoters, and draft potential applications for accommodation-tax funds. The meeting closed after a motion to adjourn was made and seconded; participants exchanged phone numbers and agreed to follow up by group text.
The meeting did not record a formal vote tally on funding directions; the group focused on planning and outreach rather than approving a specific grant or allocation.
