Applications are now being accepted for the Local Accommodations and Hospitality Tax Grants.
Donor Name: Beaufort County
State: South Carolina
County: Beaufort County (SC)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 03/31/2026
Size of the Grant: Not Available
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The County of Beaufort receives revenues from a 3% local accommodations tax (ATAX) imposed on tourist lodging as well as a 2% local hospitality tax (HTAX) imposed on the sale of prepared meals and beverages. Per the County’s Code of Ordinances, these revenues must be used for the following purposes:
Local ATAX:
- Tourism-related buildings, including, but not limited to, civic centers, coliseums, and aquariums.
- Tourism-related cultural, recreational, or historic facilities.
- Beach access, renourishment, or other tourism-related lands and water access.
- Highways, roads, streets, bridges and boat ramps providing access to tourist destinations.
- Advertisements and promotions related to tourism development.
- Water and sewer infrastructure to serve tourism-related demand.
- Development of workforce housing, which must include programs to promote home ownership. However, the county may not expend or dedicate more than 15 percent of its annual local accommodations tax revenue for the purposes set forth in this item.
- The operation and maintenance of those items provided in 1 through 6 above, including police, fire protection, emergency medical services, and emergency-preparedness operations directly attendant to those facilities.
Local HTAX:
- Tourism-related buildings, including, but not limited to, civic centers, coliseums, and aquariums.
- Tourism-related cultural, recreational, or historic facilities.
- Beach access and renourishment.
- Highways, roads, streets, bridges and boat ramps providing access to tourist destinations.
- Advertisements and promotions related to tourism development.
- Water and sewer infrastructure to serve tourism-related demand.
- Control and repair of flooding and drainage within or on tourism-related lands or areas.
- Site preparation for items 1 through 7 including, but not limited to demolition, repair, or construction.
- The operation and maintenance of items 1 through 6 including police, fire protection, emergency medical services, and emergency-preparedness operations directly attendant to those facilities.
Criteria
The County has established a grant application process for the award and issuance of Local ATAX and HTAX revenues to local organizations located within Beaufort County for tourism-related projects, including Beaufort County Departments. Applications shall be submitted during the first quarter of each calendar year with the intent of announcing awards during the second quarter of the calendar year. Organizations will have one (1) year to spend their award or two (2) years for construction projects. Organizations that have been awarded previous Local ATAX or HTAX grant funds may apply during subsequent award cycles but will not receive additional appropriations until final accounting reports for those earlier awards have been received by the County.
For more information, visit Beaufort County.
