Council approves ATAX grants totaling multiple awards including $80,000 for Arts & Seafood Festival

An ATAC representative (speaker 17) presented a summary of the Accommodation Tax Advisory Committee's recommendations for the 0.25 period ending June 30, 2026. He said the committee received repeat applications and that available funds were $676,984, with total requests of $172,710. The committee recommended unanimous awards for each applicant.

"Our current available funds for distribution are $676,984," speaker 17 said. Council moved and approved grants by voice vote for each recommendation: $10,000 to Coastal Conservation Association for an upcoming banquet weekend; $80,000 to the Historic Bluffton Arts & Seafood Festival (recusal noted); $15,000 to Old Town Bluffton Merchant Society; $35,000 to the Society of Bluffton Artists; $7,710 to Congregation Beth Yom for a Hanukkah celebration; and $25,000 to Blackwoody SC for the Roots and Rivers Festival.

Council recorded motions and approvals for each award; several council members commented on the events' tourism and marketing value before voting.