AIKEN --- Money to promote downtown Aiken in places such as Columbia and Atlanta is dwindling, and officials are hoping this week will provide a much needed boost.
Recently, Aiken leaders released information on how accommodation taxes could be doled out for the coming fiscal year, which starts in July.
Funding for nearly every category declined based on a 15 percent drop this fiscal year in the city's accommodations taxes and a projection of a 20 percent decrease for the coming fiscal year. The city's Accommodations Tax Committee had an estimated $134,110 to divvy up and $483,187 in requests. Last year, more than $250,000 was granted.
"Until this year we were growing at a 3 percent to 7 percent rate over the last five years," said City Manager Roger LeDuc.
The Aiken Downtown Development Association is to receive $7,500 for promotion outside a 50-mile radius. That's a $21,600 decrease from this fiscal year.
Carla Cloud, the ADDA's executive director, said that means a billboard touting Aiken in Columbia and Atlanta would not be able to stay up beyond September.
Officials say funding partly hinges on hotel stays in Aiken this week.
Ms. Cloud said some downtown businesses are also offering Hole-in-One Days events through Saturday. If you make one, you could receive gifts or special offers at participating businesses.
On Thursday night, several businesses plan to offer a Par-Tee event, staying open past 6 p.m. to cater to visitors.
By the numbers
Accommodations tax committee recommendations for fiscal year 09-10
| Requested | Recommended | Past grant | |
| Weeks Tennis Center | $2,500 | ||
| Citizens Park bid fees | $9,000 | $4,500 | $6,000 |
| Antiques in the Heart of Aiken | $26,000 | $12,750 | $17,000 |
| Exhibition and Arts Center marketing-Aiken Center for the Arts | $34,000 | $12,750 | |
| Battle of Aiken-Sons of Confederate Veterans | $46,772 | $26,250 | $32,396 |
| Promotion of Downtown Aiken-ADDA | $75,800 | $7,500 | $29,100 |
| Aiken's Makin'-Aiken Chamber of Commerce | $25,000 | $7,500 | $14,500 |
| 302 Polo USPA Silver Cup/USPA Aiken Ladies Invitational | $100,000 | $7,500 | $67,350 |
| Ford Trucks Equestrian Balloon Festival-Aiken Land Conservancy | $25,000 | $1,000 | $10,000 |
| Aiken Horse Show-Hitchcock Woods Foundation | $15,640 | $7,500 | $16,105 |
| Aiken Polo Club Promotions & Magazine-Aiken Polo Club | $52,725 | $18,750 | $25,114 |
| Aiken Spring Classic-Aiken Land Conservancy | $15,700 | $7,500 | $10,013 |
| Aiken Trials-Aiken Land Conservancy | $15,700 | $7,500 | |
| Aiken Fall Steeplechase-Aiken Steeplechase Association | $29,350 | $7,500 | $23,050 |
Source: Aiken City Council meeting agenda
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