Funding Opportunities
Investing in Camden’s Growth
The City of Camden provides a wide range of funding opportunities for businesses, nonprofits and citizens that are investing in Camden’s future. Funding ranges from grants, to tax credits to other economic development and tourism development incentives. Take a look below.
Accommodations Tax Grants
Accommodations Tax Grants are provided through revenue received by the City for its share of the 2% lodging tax levied by the State of South Carolina. These monies can only be used for activities related to tourism, including: advertising and promotion of tourism. promotion of the arts and cultural events. Entities applying for funding must be a non-profit organization, or represent a non-profit organization, registered with the Secretary of State of South Carolina. Read the 2023 -2024 A-TAX Grant Handbook here.
For detailed information regarding how State Accommodations Tax Funds can be spent, please refer to Section 6-4-10 of the South Carolina Code of Laws and the Department of Revenue’s official advisory opinion contained in the SC REVENUE Ruling #98-22. This information is available online at www.scstatehouse.gov. An Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee, mandated by the State of South Carolina, reviews applications and makes recommendations to City Council for the award of A-Tax funds. Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee members are selected from the hospitality and lodging industries, as well as from the community at large. Accommodations Tax expenditures are also reviewed by the State of South Carolina’s Tourism Expenditure Review Committee (TERC) who looks to distinguish between events attended primarily by those in the local community from those events that are designed for and attended primarily by non-residents who come from outside the community.
Questions should be directed to Suzi Sale, Tourism Director, 803-432-2421 or ssale@camdensc.org.
Hospitality Tax Grants
The Hospitality Tax is a food and beverage tax that applies to all gross receipts collected on sales of prepared or modified meals, food, and beverages. Hospitality Taxes apply to all restaurants, bars, convenience stores, fast food outlets, grocery stores, caterers, and any other business or organization preparing and/or serving food and/or beverages.
Hospitality Tax County Promotions Grants provide financial support to organizations and projects whose primary mission is to attract tourists by promoting dining and overnight accommodations. Hospitality Tax Grant applications are be accepted on a rolling basis for each fiscal year, ending June 30th.
If you have any questions about either funding program or are having trouble accessing the applications or reporting forms, please contact the Finance Department at 803-432-2421.
Economic Development Incentives
Looking for economic development incentives, tax credits, grants and other resources for your business? Check out our Economic Development Incentives page and other resources for your small business.